Three different ground driving sessions, in reverse order from this week to last week to when we first started. Brought to you by one of our fan favorites, Frank Stetson, coming 4yo gelding from Sand Wash Basin, Colorado.
He’s accepting contact on the bit now and following my guidance from voice, reins and whip much more readily and with far less confusion. The first session was only about getting used to the feel of the reins along his body and legs and following the rail. Later he learned to stop and steer, transition between gaits and confidently come off of the rail. It’s a process and he’s not perfect at it yet but he has a good foundation.
I learned to drive in Germany and Hungary. A friend and I were dragging pastures with Shetland Ponies and doing sled races with the same ponies long before we were even teenagers. That was after we trained them to ride and drive as they were basically feral. I still love driving and I believe that ground driving is an important step for the up and coming riding horse, even if they’re never going to pull or drag anything for a living.
It teaches them voice, speed and directional control, to understand and not fear the bit, to be out front rather than follow a person or another horse. It teaches them to stand patiently and wait for direction, not to freak out when they get touched by or tangled up in the long lines (driving reins). The whip takes the place of the rider’s legs, gently reinforces voice commands and can even help steer.
Frank Stetson came to us wild from the holding facility in Cañon City. He is leaving in a few days to live with his adopter and begin his career as a riding horse. We’ll miss him, he’s turned into a friendly, willing partner that meets us at the gate and nickers to us.
Thanks again to our clients, owners and adopters for trusting Wild Horse Outreach & Advocacy with your wild ones.
Thank you to Tay Martin for keeping all our wildies fed and happy and to Linnea Helander for dressing up the pony and taking pictures!
