Course 102 — Ground Mechanics

The third course of the Level 1 Foundational Horsemanship Certification. Ground mechanics are where softness is actually built: the five manoeuvres that make a horse light, thinking, and safe before anyone climbs into a saddle. Lateral flexion, disengaging the hindquarters (your emergency brake), disengaging the forequarters, backing with feel, and desensitizing by approach and retreat, done so the horse gets braver rather than shut down.

The course finishes by putting it all together into a short pre-ride groundwork sequence you will run before every ride, and a troubleshooting method built on first principles: reduce the ask, feet first. If it does not work on the ground, you do not ask for it in the saddle. Certification at the end.

Soft is strong. Clarity is kindness.