Chelsea explains the basics of groundwork including keeping the horse out of her personal space, how to send the horse on a circle around her in different gaits and how to read the horse's energy. She also explains how going somewhere new will affect the horse's ability to concentrate and perform.

Chelsea continues to work her horse on the line and explains how to be patient and relaxed so that the horse can cue into her and relax as well. If the horse has extra energy, she wants to allow the horse to express her energy. To do that, she allows the horse to go forward, but then gives the ho...

Chelsea continues to work the horse through external distractions and points out the cues the horse gives her to show that the horse's anxiety is lowering. She makes sure to get the same type of reactions going both directions.

Laura explains and demonstrates her process of warming up a horse in-hand. She shows how she holds the reins and the whip. She goes through what she does with groundwork, including different size circles and leg yielding before going into piaffe steps. Please note: Spurs should not be worn during...

Laura shows how she asks for quality piaffe in-hand. She shows how she uses her reins and her body language to keep the horse relaxed because she doesn't want him to get tense. She starts off easily and then asks for more.

Laura gives a piaffe demonstration with her Arabian/Oldenburg to show some differences between how she schools different horses. She also shows how it can be done without the reins.

Sloane Coles demonstrates proper ways of leading a tacked-up horse. There are different options for going to the ring. A leather chain shank is common at horse shows, but it can be very dangerous if not used properly. Sloane shows how the chain can be used incorrectly and correctly.

Sloane Coles is a hands-on horsewoman. In this video, she demonstrates proper ways of haltering and leading a horse. Basic care is important to Sloane, and safety is paramount. It is important to read the horse’s attitude, keep the horse’s attention and have the horse come to you instead of you g...

Sloane Coles demonstrates proper ways of turning a horse out in a pasture. Again, safety is important, and it is important the the horse faces you. She demonstrates how to handle a horse that is nervous or wants to get away quickly. Take your time and make turning out a training opportunity.

Sloane Coles demonstrates proper ways of catching a horse. Basic care is important to Sloane, and safety is paramount. You should be aware of where you are and where the horse is so that you are in a safe place. It is also important to always close the gate behind you, even if there isn’t a horse...

Sloane Coles recommends using a rope halter for horses that are difficult, strong, or inexperienced. The rope halter gives excellent pressure and control and is the best training aid for leading your horse.

Keeping safety at the forefront, Holly Hugo-Vidal shows how a rider correctly and safely gets on her horse using a mounting block.

Hunter/jumper/equitation trainer Lexy Reed demonstrates all proper aspects of longeing a horse. She discusses the ways to work a horse on a longe line and why and demonstrates how to set up the equipment for longing correctly as well as safely. She then shows how to get the most out of your longe...

Dan takes a moment to introduce the concept of liberty work and the International Liberty Horse Association.

Dan does a brief demo with one of his older stallions, Swampy. He demonstrates coming when called as well as flying lead changes and the Spanish walk.

Dan works with Apollo, one of his original liberty horses. This is an example of some of the fun tricks a horse can learn.

Amelia is the only mare in Dan's group, and she is very opinionated. She shows that she can be more challenging to work with than the geldings, but Dan lets her do her thing and then is able to bring her in and demonstrate changing directions and weaving cones at liberty.

Dan moves on to working with two palomino horses, Vanilla Ice and Spider Pig. These two were stunt doubles on the TV show Heartland. As they start to work, the horses get into a similar rhythm and start to work in tandem. He also shows them working in opposite directions.

A huge challenge is working with five horses at liberty. Dan has them move together as well as in opposite directions and in different groups. Even at this advanced level, he is able to make it look easy.

The final portion of his demo shows Dan riding and standing bareback while interacting with the other horses. He first moves them around as a team and then has them wait while he does a bareback riding demo. It shows his outstanding balance, timing and rhythm as well as his trust in his horses to...

OTTB Challenges and Issues with Jody Hartstone

OTTB Groundwork with Jody Hartstone

Nicole Weinauge teaches Jasmine Gray young rider from Australia with a Western Dressage background. She works a six year old Trakehner gelding beginning with ground work. Nicole explains what tack she uses for this work based on the principles of the School of Legerete. The rider unmounted stands...

Colonel Carde works in hand with this distracted gelding, and begins with creating a peaceful, confident, calm place. He takes contact with both reins, being persistent with asking for calm obedience and giving when he gives. He demonstrates asking for a stretching of the neck.