Do you do a groundwork warm up with your advanced horses before riding? If so, do you have routine that you run through?

Original Question

Hi Angie.

We watched John’s warm up video yesterday which was awesome. My question is do you do a groundwork warm up with your advanced horses before riding? And if so, do you have routine that you run through? I’m talking about horses like Django who are experienced and that you know don’t need ‘lunging’. Do you still do a little session with them to warm up before you do your ridden warm ups?

Angie’s Answer

Kyla, great question.  So with a horse like Django, it depends on what I want to work with on the ground.  If I am wanting to teach him something with high energy, like a big draw OR cutting moves etc I would do that before a ride.  However, if I was wanting to work on something Iike liberty in the big arena I would do it after a ride as he tends to be more focused after a ride. I do most of my work with Django after a ride as we both seem to be more focused, centered and relaxed but I think Django would be my only exception.  

So interesting, I hadn’t really thought about it, I just do it on what feels right, so a great question! Actually now that I am thinking about it, as I am typing away, I FEEL into HIS mood and also my mood and do what FEELS right for both of us at the time.

BUT if I was working with a young horse or nearly any other horse, especially a ‘strong red’ or ‘strong blue’ with a busy brain then I would groundwork them first to help support them to come into the learning frame, focus and relax more before riding them.

Hope this helps give you my insight.