Ground Driving with K.O.

K.O. has had the past couple weeks off because she had become very foot sore and needed some time for her hoof to grow back out. However, at the beginning of the month I was able to move her to the same barn that my other mare, Luna, is boarded at which has been wonderful. Last week, K.O. had some front shoes put on, which has helped her immensely along with time for growth and she has shown noticeable improvement. Since I'll be able to get back on her in about a week or so, I decided to start ground driving her so that we can at least work on steering in the meantime.

K.O. ground driving (Sorry for the bad quality!)

Ground driving is a handy tool with green horses and especially babies because its an easy way to teach steering and rein aids (among many other tools) without having to be on their back. In this situation, K.O. is mature, broke and quiet, so if she wasn't so foot sore I would typically just teach her mounted, but if I had a yearling, a 2yo or even a horse that demonstrated anxiety under saddle, I would try ground driving for awhile. Ground driving does have its faults, though. It is important to keep in mind that there is always a chance that the horse can just take off like a bandit, so be sure to plan for that. Don't wrap your lines around your hands or put them in a position where they could be. Practice in an enclosed area first, so that if they do demonstrate any anxiety you won't lose them. Also, I would recommend driving in a halter a couple times first, so that if they do run off and you lose the lines and then they step on them, it will be less damaging. Always baby steps! My second concern with ground driving is when your horse gets confused or naughty they can easily spin around. As a consequence, at least one of your lines will more than likely get wrapped around their legs. This is another situation that you have to anticipate and plan accordingly for.

So just a couple tips from me with ground-driving:

1) Make sure you use two long-lines that are the same length and are smooth. No knots in the line and I personally prefer the kind that doesn't have the rubber weight at the end either.
2) Practice the first couple times in a halter until you and your horse are comfortable. When you do upgrade to a bit, use something very, very basic. ie: a plain snaffle
3) Be smart with your distance behind the horse. You don't want to be so far away that you have no control, especially in the situation that someone else is in the ring with you. However, you don't want to be so close that if your horse kicks out or bucks that you're in the line of fire.
4) Have a plan! Make all transitions slowly and plan very far ahead. It's also important to have an emergency plan in case your horse takes off or gets tangled.


This is K.O. ground driving, her second time, with my friend Maggie, her first time!