Step III In Beginning A Driving Horse

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Step III Lesson In Beginning A Driving Horse

Step III In Beginning A Driving Horse

Step III usually follows Step II very quickly. Usually, there will ALWAYS be the exception to the rule, there will always be the horse that doesn't think that "Driving is it's Thing". BE PATIENT. DO NOT PROGRESS until the horse is relaxed and can walk the entire way around the arena several times, and on several days before progressing to Step III.

Now, we have had a handler walk us all the way around the arena. Now how about Changing Rein in the arena.

Start the horse off on the Right Rein (this way when and if he is ever shown, it will be natural for him to start in the ring on the right rein).

Proceed around the arena several times with the handler walking the horse (and talk to him) while walking along! The Driver is walking along behind talking as well (getting the horse accustomed to his "main person" being behind him). Once you have walked around the arena several times (remember driving in an arena, counting your laps at a walk and at a trot, walking several times should be nothing for any of you...handler, driver or horse!).

As you come out of a corner you will make a diagonal across the center of the arena to the opposite top side of the arena (in Dressage Letters, if you are coming out of the corner at Letter H, then you will proceed to Letter F and at F, you will change rein to now be walking on the Left Rein.

Walk this way quite a few times. Going this way is new to the horse. Change only once or twice, depending on the horse's ease in making the changes.

This is how you will change rein while driving your horse.

Watch the "mock shafts" as you corner, do you notice the difference in pressure points on your horses shoulder and thigh areas? This will effect how you drive the corner as well in the future.

   

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