So since I'm prego this summer, I was thinking that it might be fun to learn how to ground drive Duke. I'm not to the point of not being able to ride, but I'm sure I'll get to that point and I want to teach him before then.

So my questions, how difficult is it to teach a riding horse to ground drive? What do I need for it?

Thanks
Melia

I like to use a surcingle. Country Supply has reasonable ones. I like the fleece lined nylon for more flexibility in different sized horses. Then, an english bridle with plain d ring or o ring snaffle, (Take off the reins) and add 25-30 ft driving reins. My favorites are leather lines from a harness, but if you lack them, you can make your own with heavier rope. (1/2 inch to 5/8 inch hemp rope would be my choice but I always wear good leather gloves to prevent rope burn. Just weave in a spring clip to the ends, so you can clip to teh bit and you are good to go. You will also want a driving whip to cue your horse. You should be able to gather up the equipment for less than $25.

Do you have access to a July copy of Horse and Rider? There's a pretty good article in there with pics by Stacey Westfall I think..anyway it's pretty good at describing it.

Would it matter if I used his western headstall with a o-ring snaffle? We ride western, so I dont have any english bridles.. I will have to check out Country Supplies surcingle. How difficult is it to teach him once I have everything?

I get Horse and Rider, I will have to look. Thanks.

The western headstall with the O ring snaffle will work as long as you remove the reins.

Shouldn't be too hard to teach once you have everything. I start on the long side of an arena against the rail. Stand at his rear inside flank. (do not stand directly behind your horse. If he is going to kick, he will probably kick straight back) Keep the whip low in your outside hand behind your horse. That serves as a reminder that he needs to go forward. Make sure you keep contact on both lines. Remember, the inside line will tell him to turn, but the outside line will tell him how far. If you forget to use your outside line to support him, he will turn and face you. Reach behind him with your whip and send him past you in the opposite direction. If you do this, remember to change whip hands, and body position. Ground driving can be alot of fun. Once he gets going good on the rail you are ready to leave the rail and actually ground drive.

Has your horse ever been long lined when in training? It's basically the same thing. My family had draft horses and hackney ponies when I was at home and now, we have a haflingers and I have 2 paints.

Does your horse lunge well in both directions? Do you use side lines when you round pen him? That's the start. There is a book, it's an older one, that has the basics for driving - Breaking and Training the Driving Horse by Doris Ganton. Published by Wilshire Book Company. As I said, it's an older book yet it covers the basics.

Once you get gound driving, you'll have to go all the way and get a cart - driving is awesome.