What is groundwork and what is it for?

Groundwork covers all work from the ground: leading, gymnastic exercises, lunging, double lunge, cavalettis from the ground. Serves trust, muscle building, focus and variety. Good alternative on days when riding doesn't fit.

What equipment for lunging?

Lunge line (at least 6 m), lunge whip, cavesson or rope halter, possibly surcingle. Helmet and solid shoes mandatory. Some horses need leg wraps or boots.

How long should a lunging session be?

10 to 20 minutes usually suffice. Both hands equally. More than 20 minutes loads joints one-sidedly.

Most common lunging mistake?

Circle too small. Under 10 meters loads joints heavily. Ideally 15 to 20 meters diameter.

Can the sharer lunge independently?

Only if agreed with the owner and the sharer can lunge. For young horses or sharers without lunge experience, owner or instructor should attend.

Guide

Groundwork and lunging: basics for the horse sharer

2 min read

Groundwork is the underestimated part of horsekeeping. It builds trust, focus and muscle, spares the horse and makes a horse share useful even on days when riding doesn't fit. This guide presents the basics, what's safe and where the owner must be involved.

What groundwork covers

Leading. Base discipline. Horse follows on a loose hand.
Liberty work. Horse follows without halter or lunge through body language.
Cavalettis from the ground. Horse walks over low poles, gymnastic and focused.
Lunging. Horse circles around the sharer at walk, trot, canter.
Double lunge. Advanced form with two lines.
Desensitization training. Horse learns to handle objects (plastic bags, umbrella, tarp).

For the sharer: leading, cavalettis and lunging are standard. Double lunge and liberty require more experience.

Why useful for the sharer

Trust. Pair gets to know each other better from the ground.
Muscle building. Cavalettis and lunge build muscle without saddle.
Weather days. Rain or ice prevents riding, groundwork is alternative.
Slight lameness days. Horse needs movement without riding, walk in hand is gentle.
Young horses. Groundwork is the main education.

Lunging equipment

Lunge line at least 6 m, ideally 8.
Lunge whip long enough to reach the horse without large movement. Indication, not strike.
Cavesson or rope halter. Cavesson is professional, rope halter pragmatic alternative.
Surcingle when using side reins or for fitness work.
Wraps or boots for protection on young horses or galloping work.

Helmet and solid shoes mandatory, even without riding.

Lunging safely in Switzerland

Circle at least 15 m diameter. Smaller loads joints.
Both hands equally. Each session both directions with transitions.
Check footing. Wet or slippery is dangerous. Ice and deep snow are absolute no-go.
Outdoor weather. Wind or snow makes some horses unsure. Prefer indoor.
Other riders on the arena. Lunging takes a lot of space. Coordinate in advance.
Arena rules. Some Swiss boardings have lunge schedules.

Building a 15-minute session

Warm-up (3-4 min). Walk phase both directions.
Main work (8-10 min). Trot with transitions, sometimes canter.
Cool-down (2-3 min). Walk phase.
End. Horse comes to center, lunge wound up, reward.

What the sharer respects

Clear agreement with owner. Which exercises allowed?
No experimental exercises. Don't try a YouTube exercise on the owner's horse.
No overload. 20 minutes suffices.
Stop on anomalies. Horse nervous, tired, unwilling: end session.

FSVO and Swiss Equestrian emphasize the holder's responsibility for appropriate load.

Frequently asked questions

What is groundwork? All work from the ground. Trust, muscle, focus, variety.

Equipment for lunging? Lunge ≥6m, whip, cavesson or rope halter, helmet, solid shoes.

How long a session? 10-20 min, both hands.

Most common mistake? Too small circle. ≥15 m diameter.

Lunge independently? Only with agreement and skill.

Sources

Note groundwork sessions in HorseCompanion

Groundwork sessions logged alongside riding for a balanced view across weeks. Start for free

Updated: June 2026