The first exercise is a light step backwards from the reins aid. Backwards translates to stop if the horse is already moving and therefore forms the foundation of downward transitions, both on the ground and while mounted. If you think of each aid that you give as being in three phases these are: light pressure, followed by stronger pressure, followed by a release of pressure. The aid for backwards is simply light pressure of the lead rein towards the horse's chest followed by stronger pressure if the horse does not comply. It's often easiest to tap the horse's legs just below the knee as he is about to step backwards (as the second phase of pressure) to increase the size of the step and the lightness of the initial pressure.
Remember the aim is to have the horse go backwards from a light, invisible pressure only and to achieve even, straight steps in a rhythm from a light aid. Each aid only needs to produce two backwards steps. What we are doing is deepening the stop response, not asserting 'dominance' or making the horse 'respect' us because there is no scientific evidence that these are possible. The backwards step is also NOT a punishment. Punishment is the application of an unpleasant or painful stimulus after a behaviour. It assumes that horses can opt to change their future behaviour in order to avoid consequences. This is something that small children (and many adults) are unable to do, so its best to assume it is also ineffective with the horse. Negative reinforcement allows the horse to change his current behaviour in order to avoid stronger pressure and creates more consistent behaviours with less stress.
Just a quick note on voice aids. Once a behaviour is trained it is useful to add a voice command so that the behaviour can be used in all situations. Decide on what word you will use and stick to it. If you choose the word 'back' for backwards the aid is 'back' said once and in the same tone each time not "Back, back BAAAAAAACK!!!!" Neither is it "Go back Sunny. Come on. Back up. Back up you b*****d!" You can also use clicking with the tongue for either forward or backwards but it can't be used for BOTH. Each aid must have just one response and the response should be the same every time.

The second exercise is forward steps. The light aid for forward is a pressure of the lead rein away from the horse. It's easy, if facing the horse, to use quick, light taps on his shoulder as the more aversive pressure if it is required. These should be rapid and shouldn't cease until the horse steps forward but the tapping needs to cease immediately as soon as the first front leg comes forward. Train this response on both shoulders if you can but you might have to practice the tapping (maybe on your spouse!) with your non-dominant hand as most people's coordination falls apart a bit at this stage. If you think about the groundwork as producing templates of the behaviour that you want to achieve under saddle your aim is to have the horse step lightly forward from an almost invisible aid in even, rhythmical steps. It can be useful to train this behaviour initially alongside a wall to help keep the horse straight. However, once the horse is stepping forward well it is easy to train him to go straight by only ceasing the pressure when he offers straight steps and not rewarding crookedness.

During groundwork it is useful to concentrate most of your attention on the horse's legs as it is these that you are aiming to control. The rein aids should always have a direct action on the horse's legs. Aim to develop a consistency of response so the horse's action is the same each time the aid is applied, which creates the predictability it needs. Although the horse may show losses of attention at first these will reduce as control over the legs increases. It is best to avoid straightening the horse's neck with the rein aids without getting a response from his legs as this creates an inconsistency of response that, in effect says, "Sometimes when I pull on the rein it means turn your whole body and sometimes it means turn your neck only". If the horse loses attention, ensure his legs are obedient with forward and backward steps and his attention will soon return to you. The next exercise is 'PARK'. The horse is trained to stand still until an aid is given, which is useful in all sorts of situations including mounting, saddling up and shoeing. During this exercise it is useful to draw an imaginary circle on the ground around the horse's front legs with a diameter of about 60cm. This is the park circle. Stand in front and slightly to the side of the horse and imagine the circle. If he takes a step forward out of the circle use a backwards step to return him to it. If he takes a backwards step out of the circle use a forward step to return him. If he takes sideways steps out of the circle use backwards steps until he is in a position where you can use forward steps to return him to the circle. Park is not a vague concept meaning 'basically keep your legs sort of still somewhere in the vicinity of the arena' it is a place-specific training tool and the horse's legs are trained to remain motionless on a given piece of ground.

Once forwards, backwards and park is established it is time to check the effectiveness of the training by checking that the horse can perform these behaviours from just the light aids only. When training a horse on the ground it is inevitable that he learns to associate the handler's postural cues with the aids. This is called classical conditioning and was initially described by a scientist called Pavlov.
Pavlov discovered that if he rang a bell before feeding his laboratory dogs and repeated this many times eventually the dogs would begin to salivate when the bell was rung even when there was no food in sight. However, as one of the purposes of these exercises is to deepen the responses we use when riding' it's useful to gauge their effectiveness by using them without the effect of classical conditioning. Stand facing the horse's nearside shoulder with the reins in your left hand. By using light pressure to the left and right see if you can produce forwards and backwards steps. If you can: Well done! If you can't, return to the previous exercises for forwards and backwards until your initial aids for these behaviours are lighter, then try again.

GROUND-WORK FOR KIDS

Children not only can be taught the basics of managing the horse correctly on the ground, it's something that they should be taught, as it will help keep them safe. It is necessary to supervise them closely at all times when doing ground-work and advisable to dress them safely and suitably. An enclosed working area with a minimum of distractions (for child and pony) is also ideal. The ground-work can be done in a head-collar or a bridle - sometimes a bridle is easier as ponies appear to be stronger weight-for-weight than horses; I'm sure 600kgs worth of Shetland pony is a great deal stronger than a 600kg Thoroughbred!

Ponies and children can be taught exactly the same behaviours as their taller counterparts. Step backwards is an extremely useful tool for children handling their own ponies as it can help them to avoid being stepped on if the pony gets a fright while they are leading it. If the pony rushes forwards the child can do an immediate downward transition. A light and obedient stop response makes the pony far easier and safer for a child to handle in all situations.

Once the basics of ground-work are mastered it can be fun to make a game out it. In-hand bending races (at walk if you like), tests of accuracy, walk poles and mini dressage tests in-hand can all be made to be fun and challenging for children and have the extra benefit of being good for the pony too. In a future issue we'll take a look at some of these and other groundwork exercises that we can do for all ages, including upwards and downwards transitions and leg yield.