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Ground driving—also known as long lining—is one of the most important foundation steps in colt starting. On a horse’s first day of ground driving, everything must be done with clarity, patience, and purpose. In this session, Michael Gascon, The Horse Guru, works with Amy, a four-year-old Warmblood mare, to demonstrate how to safely and effectively introduce a colt to driving using long lining basics.
Amy’s story highlights why a correct process matters. After being sent to multiple trainers and experiencing a serious accident, she was restarted properly through the colt starting process. Now calm, confident, and responsive to pressure, she is ready for her first day of ground driving.
Meet Amy: Preparing a Colt for Long Lining and Driving
Why Foundation Training Comes First
Amy is a four-year-old Warmblood from Vermont who has already completed the colt starting process. That means she understands:
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How to yield to pressure
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How to go forward willingly
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How to respond calmly to cues
Before starting ground driving, it is critical that a horse already knows how to long line. Ground driving should not be the first time a colt experiences long lines, pressure behind the girth, or guidance from both reins.
Step One: Setting Up the Driving Bridle and Long Lines
Keeping It Simple and Clear
For Amy’s first day ground driving session, Michael uses:
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A driving bridle with a simple snaffle bit
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Long lines run through the shaft loops of the harness
Instead of running the lines through the tugs (where cart shafts would normally go), the lines are placed lower through the shaft loops. This positioning is intentional and important for safety and control.
Why Line Placement Matters in Ground Driving a Colt
Preventing the Horse from Facing Up
One common issue with colts—especially those started with natural horsemanship—is that they want to turn and face the handler. While that is acceptable in groundwork, it is dangerous in driving.
By running the long lines through the shaft loops:
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The lines stay lower on the horse’s body
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The handler can control the hindquarters
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The horse is discouraged from turning around
If the horse tries to face up, the line around the hindquarters allows the handler to gently pull the horse away and send them forward again.
In driving, forward is non-negotiable.
Teaching the Horse to Go Forward While “Blinded”
Building Confidence Without Panic
On this first day of ground driving, Amy is also learning to work while being partially “blinded” by the harness and lines. Because she has already been long lined extensively with a saddle, this transition is smooth.
Key goals during this phase:
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The horse continues moving forward calmly
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The long lines can touch the horse’s hindquarters without causing fear
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The horse accepts pressure without spooking or rushing
Amy’s calm response shows that proper preparation makes all the difference.
Controlling Speed and Direction on Day One
Circles, Direction Changes, and Relaxation
Once forward motion is confirmed, Michael begins:
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Changing directions
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Circling at the end of the arena
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Asking for consistent rhythm and softness
Because Amy already understands long lining fundamentals, she accepts the driving harness easily. There is no rushing, no pulling, and no resistance—just calm, steady movement.
This is exactly what you want to see on a colt’s first day of ground driving.
What Success Looks Like in Step One
When to Move On to the Next Phase
You know step one is complete when:
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The horse goes forward willingly
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The horse is not panicking or freezing
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You can control speed and direction
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The horse accepts the long lines touching the hindquarters
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The horse stays straight and does not try to turn toward you
If all of these boxes are checked, the horse is ready to progress to the next step in ground driving and driving preparation.
Final Thoughts on Long Lining and Ground Driving Colts
Slow, Correct, and Consistent Wins Every Time
The first day ground driving a colt is not about perfection—it is about calm understanding and forward motion. Taking the time to build a solid foundation through long lining creates safer, more confident driving horses and saddle horses alike.
Amy’s session demonstrates that when a horse is started correctly, even a horse with a difficult past can move forward with confidence.
Stay tuned for the next step in the ground driving series, where we continue building on this foundation.
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