In 2017 I joined Marijke de Jong's Straightness Training program and found a perfect complement for my horses' needs.
The groundwork exercises in the ST program aim to balance a horse's body using effective gymnastics.
The ST pillars and philosophies support and enhance my views and I highly recommend them. Go to Marijke's site to download a free eBook.
​Check out Jalila's blog page to see how ST fit into her program and changed our lives together.
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Connected Groundwork® Prepares A Horse For Riding

Connected Groundwork® Unites People & Horses

Working with horses from the ground offers infinite opportunities to promote partnership and raise awareness for both horses and riders. Horses can be taught to improve their posture and find freedom in movement. Handlers can hone their skills and improve their ability to feel what a horse is doing on the other end of the line. All Connected Groundwork® exercises translate directly to riding. Instructors who can “ride” a horse from the ground can provide security to timid riders or riders on volatile horses. They can also take charge and have a horse perform a movement so the rider can better feel what that movement is like when correctly executed.

Peggy Cummings’ Connected Groundwork® methods are based in functional movement and synchronization between horse and rider. Connected Groundwork® helps prepare a horse to be ridden by teaching the horse to adjust his posture and build the strength that is needed to use his body in such a way that he can carry the weight of a rider without harming himself in the process. When an individual employs the methodology of Connected Groundwork®, based in functional postural concerns for the human body, that person becomes a mindful partner and learns to “ride” a horse from the ground. Kindness, consideration and trust are key factors in Connected practice and I have found no other riding modality that addresses these concerns like Connected Riding® and Connected Groundwork®.