Progression

I have a friend who is new to ground work, she has mostly just ridden her whole life. It isn't until you have a reason to need ground work, that you realize that you need it. Unfortunately, most people find out they need it the hard (and most times painful) way.
Ground work, or as we Parelli Students call it, "The 7 Games", is how you build a communication with your horse first on the ground, then in the saddle.  With the 7 Games, you communicate to your horse, the way the alpha horse in the herd does, that you are the leader, not just any leader, but a safe, trustworthy, calm, caring leader.  When you don't know how to communicate that to your horse, you can be easily misunderstood and unwanted situations can happen (biting, kicking, bucking, bolting, rearing etc). This was the case with my friend.
We had a wonderful session with her horse today!! My friend had lost confidence after a dangerous situation with a past horse. I have been playing with her horses on the ground while she watches and explaining the games, how and why.   But today,  she had gained enough confidence in knowledge (something we call "Savvy") and did the first 2 games with her horse by herself!!!  Lots of licking and chewing commenced by both horse and human as a bond begins to form!  So happy to see someone progress from fear to confidence!

I love what I do!