[Midnight Felicity]

I know idrivetrotters could help me with this one. I would like to teach my horse and another to ground drive just to mix it up a little. I don't even know where to start so anything would be great!!
THANKS!!!

[MiniHorseGrl]

oo, i know the first step u gotta get them used to the harness and things like that on their back, and if they know how to ride, it shouldnt b too hard

[probarrelracer]

Use either a saddle or sircingle. Hook your long reins (driving reins) to the snaffle, run them through the bottom ring for a baby, and higher ring for a broke horse. If you use a saddle, run them through the stirrups. Stand far behind the horse, and ask him to go forward. If they do not want to move, I wave the reins at them until they walk forward. wink

[Idrivetrotters]

You can use either a saddle or a circingle if you don't have access to a harness. You can use two lunge lines for your driving lines and use a long buggy whip for your motivation stick. I don't hit the horse with the lines to start them off, it is not where they are used to be "motivated" at. Just a couple of kissy noises should get them started if not, a couple of light taps should do the trick. A few days of ground driving and you can be ready for the cart if you have one available. Find a nice victim oops volunteer for your "third" line ie emergency brake and have them for a few days until the horse is going forward nicely. Used harness and carts are easy to find on the net if you can't find anyone local. New harness is not that expensive, I go to BigDee's tack for all my harness needs. They have qh and mini harness plus the racing harness and all kinds of driving supplies. Good luck, I think more horses should be taught basic driving since it really improves their gaits and manners plus they don't get a chance to be bored and sour since things are different. Just my soap box

[Blistering Winds]

You don't have to ground-drive just to "harness to a cart". I'm learning to ground drive for the basis for riding too! So far it is great!! We are ground-driving our yearlings at the school. Very interesting to those of us who have never done it. VERY INTERESTING!! KInda like extreme lunging!! Where the horse AND you get a work-out.

[Midnight Felicity]

oooooooooooooooooh thanks for ALL the advise...i will try it tomorrow and let ya'all know how it went!!!!!!

[Idrivetrotters]

I ground drove all my tb yearlings before starting them to saddle. It is great way to start a baby, but, driving is a lot of fun and very free physically and mentally for a lot of horses. There is not a tight frame to go in, just the open road and a nice forward trot and for a lot of horses that is a nice break.

[cowgurly02]

yeah we ground drove all of our horses before we ever rode them when we were training them. It also gets them used to the bit and reins and turning and stopping.

[1rish]

Horse Illustrated just did an article on how to start a horse on the line. It was worth the read.
It was located in their "gait way to success" issue. I believe it is this months.

[Blistering Winds]

Here is how we started the fillies we are working with.

We first made sure they could lead, at least with a butt rope...then make sure they will move away from pressure. Makes it easy.

Then we started close, using a 25 ft line, and using the end to "encourage" them to move. Moved behind their shoulder, and moving them forward. Usually ended up in a funky circles at first, but with practice, you get further back, and they go straighter better.

After the horse is comfortable with one lead on both sides and drives quietly this way, then you can add the second rope and start controlling the horse with both lines...but stay on one side or another. You should always see one of the horse's eyes at all times, so you know that the horse sees you.

That is how we taught the yearlings to ground drive.

They are doing awesome right now.