Working with horses in hand, over a variety of poles laid on the ground, has many benefits for both the horse and the handler. They help improve focus, co-ordination and self-carriage and can be used to help the horse overcome a variety of schooling difficulties.

The aim is to teach the horse to negotiate the ground exercises slowly and calmly. Horses that are out of balance will need to do things at great speed. The simple ground exercises can be used to help rehabilitate horses recovering from injury or illness, for youngsters starting their training and for horses that struggle to work in balance under saddle.

Teaching a horse to lead between two handlers helps increase balance and co-ordination and helps the horse become accustomed to being handled from the offside. The majority of horses are primarily handled from the near side and it is no co-incidence that many horses struggle to work in balance on the right rein.

This exercise is beneficial when working with horses that barge or lean on the handler for support. It is important that the second handler remains neutral and only gives a signal to the horse when asked to do so by the primary handler.