Groundwork Foundations Course
A step-by-step course
To help you understand your horse, build clearer communication, and create a willing, confident partner from the ground up.
Most people think groundwork is about moving a horse’s feet.
It isn’t.
Good groundwork teaches your horse how to understand your questions, stay mentally connected with you, and develop the confidence to think rather than simply react.
If you’ve ever felt like your horse can perform the movements but still feels distracted, tense or disconnected, this course will help you understand why.
Through six structured modules and accompanying video lessons, I’ll guide you through the foundations I use with every horse I train, from young horses through to behavioural rehabilitation cases.
You’ll learn not just what to do, but why it works and how it helps your horse make positive changes in their behaviour.
Groundwork Foundations Course
USD$57.00
What's included?
A 34-page workbook
A structured, start-to-finish learning pathway
Six in-depth training videos that walk you through every module and demonstrate each exercise
A bonus ‘21 Days to Better Horsemanship’ challenge to help you put everything into practice
Inside the course
You’ll work through six progressive modules:
Module 1:
What Good Groundwork Really Is
Module 2:
Thinking & Understanding
Module 3:
Following a Feel
Module 4:
Moving the Hindquarters & Shoulders
Develop light, clear body control while improving your timing, positioning and communication.
Module 5:
Backing Up
Build confidence, balance and thoughtful movement through one of the most valuable foundational exercises.
Module 6:
Connection Through Movement
Bring everything together by helping your horse stay mentally connected while moving, creating confidence that carries into ridden work and everyday handling.
Bonus Module: 21 Days to Better Horsemanship
Put everything you’ve learned into practice with a guided 21-day challenge. Each day builds on the foundations you’ve learned throughout the course, helping you create consistency, refine your timing, and turn new skills into lasting habits. It’s designed to give you a simple, achievable focus every time you work with your horse, so you finish the course feeling confident applying your new understanding in everyday training.
“What I do is for the horses yesterday, today and tomorrow. For the horses who taught me, teach me and will continue teaching me. For the horses who deserve people to know better, be better and do better. And for the horse who touched my soul, Quincy.”
- Maddy Whitford
Whitford Equestrian
Who is this course for?
This course is perfect if you:
- Are new to groundwork and want to learn it properly from the beginning
- Have a horse who feels distracted, pushy, anxious or disconnected
- Want to improve your communication before moving on to ridden work
- Enjoy learning in a structured, step-by-step format
- Want to understand why your horse behaves the way they do, rather than simply correcting the behaviour
What you'll learn?
By the end of the course you’ll understand:
- How horses think and learn
- How to recognise when your horse is engaged, uncertain or overwhelmed
- How to develop softness instead of resistance
- How to create clearer communication using body language and feel
- Why groundwork changes behaviour by changing understanding
- How to build trust and confidence that transfers into every aspect of your horsemanship
Ready to get started?
How is this different from the Whitford Equestrian Training Library?
The Training Library is designed for horse owners wanting ongoing support. It contains hundreds of training videos covering groundwork, riding, behavioural case studies, trailer loading, problem solving, monthly Q&As and new lessons added every week.
If you’re looking for a clear place to begin, this course is the perfect starting point.
If you’re looking for continued education across every area of horsemanship, the Training Library is your next step.
