[lacy]

I just bought a QH yearling and wanted to start ground work with her.

Because she has warts and we dont know if they're contagious- I have been hand walking her- I got her Sunday the 3rd of this month. I have been trying to teach her to stay out of my space and not to walk into me when she wants to turn or walk behind me. She has walked over piles of sticks, let me put her halter on and off, pick at her ears, walked over a hose, walk up to scary stuff like a wheel barrle filled with mucky water- she even stepped on a squeaky dog toy and just looked around like "hey, what was that?" she's doing so good it amazed me that her former owners just left her in a feild all summmer long.

Anyway, my question is- 1. what else can I do to get her ground "sound" and 2. my aunt was telling me about this harness thats called a ______ single. I dont remember the first part. SHe said that since I cant loung her for about another year or so I can use this ______ single thing and use side lines and walk behind her. Kinda like my grandarents did when they were breaking a harness horse to the cart.

Do you guys know what I am talking about- any idea how much it eould cost me to get one?

[Zypheir's Ring]

maybe a surcingle? If it is its a ring that you can use to get your baby used to the feeling of a girth but thats not its only purpose.

[cindyf]

She is talking about getting your yearling ground driving and using a surcingle and side reins to do it. There is no reason why a yearling can not learn to lunge lightly. Meaning walking stopping, switching directions and light trotting. Just not much of the trotting. In order to get your horse to ground drive you start out by teaching your horse to move forward, the best way to start them is off of the lunge line, getting them use to the rope around their butt, on their legs and so on. Get a book on ground driving I know they are out there. It will show you the gear as well. Or you can take a look at my site and go to the monthly lesson page, it has on there instructions on how to lunge. Stormy Acre Ranch

[katylynn06]

I have a yearling and we lunge him we don't make him trot. Just learning to follow directions is a good place to start.

[lacy]

surcingle- yea, thats what it was. It looks like a racing harness right? I plan on starting her on this as soon as I research more about it. I will look afor a book about ground driving- any suggestions?

[lacy]

How about this book?

Barnes*&*Noble.com - Books: Storey's Guide to Training Horses, by Heather Smith Thomas, Paperback

or this one

Barnes*&*Noble.com - Books: Carriage Driving, by Heike Bean, Paperback, Classic Edition

[minihorses4ever]

Originally Posted by lacy

surcingle- yea, thats what it was. It looks like a racing harness right? I plan on starting her on this as soon as I research more about it. I will look afor a book about ground driving- any suggestions?

Okay, about the side reins. They can either make or brake a horse. . In the right hands, they can teach a horse to repect the bit. But in the wrong hands, they can harden the horse's mouth and teach them to ingore the bit. Should you use them? Probably not if you have to ask.