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Driving a horse is an incredible way to deepen your connection while introducing a new skillset to your equine partner. Welcome to Part 2 of our "Intro to Driving" series! If you’ve successfully tackled Part 1, congratulations—you’re ready for the next steps in teaching your horse to transition from saddle work to driving a cart. In this post, we’ll explore essential techniques to ensure your horse is confident, calm, and safe in this process.
Step 1: Transitioning from Groundwork to PVC Shafts
Why Use PVC Pipes?
Before introducing your horse to a cart, it’s vital to familiarize them with the sensation of shafts touching their body. PVC pipes make an excellent tool for this phase as they are lightweight, safe, and easy to source from local hardware stores like Lowe’s or Home Depot.
How to Introduce PVC Pipes
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Hold the Lines: Maintain control of the driving lines throughout the process.
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Position the Pipes: Lay the PVC pipes over the horse’s back, allowing them to dangle against their sides.
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Talk to Your Horse: Keep communication open by speaking calmly and reassuringly.
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Simulate Shaft Contact: Let the pipes gently touch their legs and sides to mimic the feel of cart shafts.
This step helps desensitize your horse to the sensation of shafts, minimizing the chance of spooking later.
Step 2: Teaching Forward Movement with Pressure
Encouraging Forward Motion
If your horse reacts to the new sensations, the key is to encourage forward movement. Similar to lunging, position yourself on the inside and use verbal cues or light pressure to guide them forward.
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Circle Work: Start with small circles to maintain control. If your horse freezes, gently encourage them to keep moving forward.
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Repetition in Both Directions: Always practice equally on both sides to ensure balanced training.
Straight-Line Practice
Once your horse is comfortable with circles, progress to straight-line driving. Avoid letting them hug the rail, as cart tires could catch on a fence post, leading to dangerous situations. Aim to keep the horse 2-3 feet away from the rail at all times.
Step 3: Instilling Patience and Calmness
The Importance of Standing Still
A significant part of driving involves standing calmly. Use this phase to teach your horse to relax, stand quietly, and avoid fidgeting. Patience is key to a successful driving horse.
Building Confidence Through Desensitization
Horses that have undergone comprehensive desensitization tend to handle driving better. Incorporate these elements into their training:
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Exposure to Obstacles: Introduce a variety of challenges to build their confidence.
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Trail Rides: Use trail riding to acclimate them to new environments and stimuli.
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Colt Starting Techniques: A solid foundation in colt starting helps create a calm and reliable driving horse.
Success Story: From Problem Horse to Calm Cart Horse
The mare featured in this training session serves as a testament to the effectiveness of a thorough driving program. Previously a problematic horse that injured her handler, she is now calm and responsive thanks to proper desensitization and colt starting methods. This transformation highlights the value of patience and consistent training.
Key Milestones to Move to Part 3
Before advancing to the next phase of driving training, ensure your horse can:
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Turn smoothly in both directions.
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Stop and stand still on cue.
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Move forward willingly with light pressure.
Once these foundational skills are in place, you’ll be ready to tackle Part 3 and further refine your horse’s driving capabilities.
Thank you for following along with Part 2 of the "Intro to Driving" series. Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll dive into hitching your horse to the cart safely and efficiently. Happy driving!
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