Groundwork with a purpose = Better Ride

Dennis Cappel
Oct 27
2 min read

Clear Mental Horsemanship with Dennis Cappel

Dennis says it best:

“Groundwork teaches your horse how to think and move before you ever get in the saddle. The balance, engagement, and responsiveness they learn on the ground naturally transfers to their back, making riding smoother, safer, and more enjoyable for both of you.”

Groundwork is more than a physical exercise; it’s an ongoing conversation with your horse. It’s about continuously reading the horse and responding to what is necessary in the moment. By “necessary,” Dennis means helping the horse become comfortable and responsive to the handler’s cues. A horse that is comfortable is safe, willing, and capable of forming a true partnership with humans.

The better a handler becomes at reading their horse, the more effective their groundwork will be. Communication on the ground should always have a purpose; it’s not just about getting the horse to move through a set of mechanical motions. If the groundwork doesn’t transfer to the back, it loses meaning and can become a boring, repetitive task for the horse.

When the groundwork is engaging and meaningful, the horse learns to think, respond, and move correctly. That interaction, that partnership on the ground, naturally carries over to riding. A horse that has been trained this way will carry themselves with balance and confidence, respond smoothly to cues, and make the ride safer and more enjoyable for both horse and rider.

In short, the more thoughtful and interactive the groundwork is, the more powerful the results under saddle.

Mindful Riding,

Dennis Cappel - Master Horseman

www.cappeltrainingandshoeng.com