Putting a stop to your problems with your horse when on the ground, without the need for quick-fix gadgets or excessive force.

The most common questions we receive about ground work issues are are:

• “Why Is This Happening To Me?”
• “Why Am I Still Struggling To Do This After Trying For 6 Months Or More”
• “Maybe It’s Me & I’m Just Not Good Enough…”
• "Why Won't They Just Stand Still!"

Handling issues are not uncommon, and we all struggle to handle our horses in one form or another over time. However, for some horse owners it is more a case of there ALWAYS being one, or more, handling issues. When faced with frequent and regular handling issues, it is easy to lose confidence, interest or enjoyment.

It saddens us here at The Equine Method that so many wonderful horse-human combinations never reach their full potential, or find their true bond due to difficulties on the ground.

Most people who experience handling issues on the ground with their horse fall into 1 of these 3 categories:

• Acceptance - of the issue and acceptance that your relationship with your horse will never be what you dreamed and you put the blame on yourself. You carry on with life as best your can but you receive physical and emotional knocks and bumps along the way which you wish didn’t happen.
• Anxious - Nerves develop over time, perhaps there is a sense of peer-pressure from the yard that you aren’t ‘capable’. You lose confidence and do less and less with your horse to limit the possibilities of getting hurt or looking foolish. You wish you could take part in the fun rides, the competitions or even the group hacks, but it’s not worth the risk.
• Calling it quits - The issues have become too much. Perhaps there has been an incident or an injury, or simply your confidence has been lost over time and you have made the decision that your only choice to to give up and sell your beloved horse.

Of course, this is not an exhaustive list, but for the most part of the general horse owner population, the above is true.

Do You Wish Your Horse Was Safer For The Farrier, Vet, Saddle Fitter or Physiotherapist?

Common Concerns

• Leading difficulties
• Barging/ Bolting
• Standing at the mounting block 
• Difficulties when lunging/ long reining or any ground work related handling 
• Biting/ Mugging
• Tacking up
• Hosing legs and full body washing
• Clipping concerns
• Rushing over poles/ jumps when lunging or loose schooling
• Standing for the Farrier
• Standing for injections
  

If Your Currently Struggling With Handling Issues, Here Are Seven Reasons Why It Might Be Lasting Longer Than It Should

• You didn’t think it would actually take this long to go away and hoped that the horse would grow out of it.
• You went to your coach/ trainer/ respected friend/ FB for advice however nothing has worked, or well meaning people on FB spent more time giving you their personal stories and experiences which didn’t actually benefit you.
• Someone you know told you that “it’s just a part of owning horses”.
• You tried other Equine Professionals in the past, but it just didn’t seem to make a difference.
• You searched the Internet, watched some videos or got ideas that promised immediate relief but they either didn’t do a thing, or made your situation worse.
• You thought it would be a good idea to “take a break and wait it out” but that just made things worse the next time you tried.
• You decided to get some different bits of tack/ equipment hoping that would fix your problems, they might have worked initially or made the situation more ‘manageable’ but didn’t do anything to fix it long term.

How We Can Help You & Your Horse

• Eliminate barging/ bolting behaviour
• Gain confidence and competence over leading difficulties
• Teach your horse to stand still in various locations and in various environments 
• Achieve successful longing/ long reining sessions  
• Overcome biting and mugging behaviour
• Resolve tacking up difficulties or concerns
• Hosing and bathing your horse without them constantly moving around
• Address concerns and overcome 'clipper fear'
• Remove rushing over poles/ jumps when lunging or loose schooling
• Standing for the Farrier, Vet and other equine professionals to provide a safer environment for everyone
• Support you and your horse through the ground work section of rehabilitation programmes*

* Rehabilitation programs for injury or illness should only be set by a vet or registered equine physiotherapist. The Equine Method can support you through these to ensure you are getting the best out of your rehab training sessions. It is not our place to diagnose or treat equine medical issues.