Starting a young horse under saddle requires a lot of groundwork to build the strong foundation for riding that you want. Ground driving is one of those steps of training that should be done before you ever step foot in the stirrup. If your horse has been introduced to gentling, sacking out, leading, yielding to pressure, and wearing a saddle, he is ready to ground drive.



You should accustom your horse to giving to rein pressure, first of all. Outfit your bridle with a plain snaffle bit (O-ring or full-cheek is preferred) that has a thick mouthpiece, as that will be most gentle on an inexperienced mouth. If you have no bitting harness or surcingle, a western saddle will work just fine. To teach the horse to give to rein pressure, you will tie his head around on one side at a time. The right rein should be completely loose, with enough drape in it as to not contact the bit at all when the horse turns to the left, and tied up to the right-side off-billet ring on the saddle. The left rein should be tied to the left stirrup at the exact length where there is contact on the bit if the horse's head is facing straight ahead, but where there is no rein pressure at all if he gives his head and turns to the left slightly. Then the horse can be turned loose in an arena or round pen to figure things out. You should stay nearby in case a rein comes untied or other mishap.

The horse may turn in circles, pull straight ahead, mouth the bit, or ignore it. You may need to adjust the rein tighter or looser. But the result you want is for the horse to turn his head to the left and find a release of pressure and learn to give to it. If he is constantly stiffening against the rein and not yielding to it, he needs more time. If he stands still with his head turned left, or turns in circles to the left, he is learning to yeild, and this is what you are looking for. Then switch sides so that the right rein is tied to the right stirrup, and the left rein is tied up loosely. This can be done in short sessions for several days, or until the horse seems comfortable and smart about giving to the rein pressure on each side. When the horse will turn his head towards the pull of one rein, he is ready to begin ground driving.

Long reins can be made from poly ropes with snaps at the ends, or even light-weight lunge lines if you don't have long driving reins. Run the lines through the appropriate rings on the surcingle, or else through the stirrups of your western saddle. This will help keep them up and away from the horse's front feet and prevent him from getting tangled up. You can pass the right side rein over the back of the saddle until you are ready to begin driving. Then, standing behind the horse and holding both reins, use voice commands and rein cues to guide him into a walk. Stay in an enclosed arena or round pen until your horse becomes familiar and responsive to the reins. You should practice all aspects of control with ground driving, such as moving forward, turning, stopping, and backing up.

The experience of ground driving will prepare your young horse for a rider and make him much more comfortable and controllable when you are actually in the saddle. It may not guarantee a smooth transition into riding, but he will have the knowledge of reining and stopping which may save you a lot of trouble once you step into the stirrups. Ground driving will help contribute to a great start for your young horse.