From dominance to dialogue: the groundwork revolution in horsemanship

 

For centuries, horsemanship was built on dominance. Horses were tools—for war, work, and status—and the goal was obedience, not connection. The idea of listening to a horse or building trust was often seen as soft or inefficient. The approach was simple: “Just get on and make it do the job.”

 

But something has changed.

 

Today, more people—riders and non-riders alike—are asking a different question:

 

“How can I connect instead of just control?”

 

Welcome to the groundwork revolution

 

Driven by the rise of natural horsemanship and the influence of trainers like Monty Roberts, the focus is no longer just on making horses perform, but on building relationships. This new wave of horsemanship values communication, empathy, and respect—working with the horse’s natural instincts rather than against them.

And at the centre of it all is groundwork.

 

What is groundwork, really?

 

Groundwork is exactly what it sounds like: working with the horse on the ground. It includes everything from leading and lunging to liberty work, body language exercises, desensitisation, and trust-building games. But at its core, groundwork is about learning to speak horse—through movement, energy, timing, and space.

It’s the language horses naturally understand. They don’t know what a bit or a saddle means. But they do understand your posture, intention, energy, and timing. Groundwork taps into their world before you ever ask them to carry you into yours.

 

Why groundwork matters more than ever

 

In the past, groundwork was reserved for professionals—used behind the scenes, out of sight. But today, that’s changing. More people are discovering that groundwork isn’t just useful, it’s transformational.

​

Here’s why:

​

• You see more from the ground

You get a clear view of your horse’s facial expressions, body tension, breathing, blinking, licking, and chewing. You notice subtle signs of worry, curiosity, or confusion—signals often missed from the saddle.

​

• It builds trust—without force

No bit. No saddle. No stirrups. Just you, your awareness, and your horse. That’s where genuine partnership begins—not through pressure or submission, but through understanding.

​

• You get real-time feedback

When your horse ignores a cue or crowds your space, it’s not “bad behaviour”—it’s communication.

 

Groundwork creates space to ask:

• What are they reacting to?

• Am I being clear?

• Are they confused, sore, or unsure?

• It prepares your horse for everything else

Trail riding, liberty, jumping, dressage, rehab—it all starts from the ground. You don’t build a house from the roof down. The same goes for horses.

• It opens the door to horse-human connection

For people who can’t ride, choose not to ride, or are new to horses, groundwork offers a powerful way in. It allows anyone to develop a relationship with a horse—on equal footing.

 

A new kind of horsemanship

 

We’re seeing a shift—from dominance to dialogue, from performance to partnership. Riders and non-riders alike are choosing to slow down, listen, and meet horses where they are. In doing so, they’re finding not just better horsemanship, but better relationships.

 

These are skills that extend far beyond the round pen. They change the way we show up—in barns, in relationships, in life.

 

Ready to join the quiet revolution?

 

Whether you’re a lifelong rider or completely new to horses, groundwork offers a deeper, more rewarding way to connect. It’s not about giving up riding—it’s about discovering what you’ve been missing all along.

So if you’ve ever looked at a horse and thought, There’s something more here, you’re right. And it starts on the ground.

 

We invite you to explore it with us.

 

The horses are waiting.

 

“If you want to understand your horse, meet them where they live — on the ground, in their body, in the moment.”