In the Driver’s Seat with Elisa

In the Driver’s Seat

Introducing Your Horse to Driving – Part 5 with Elisa Marocchi

Your patience has paid off! Your horse is now confidently and happily pulling the singletree and you’re both ready to take the next step – pulling a tire.

he goal of this series of exercises is for your horse to be comfortable pulling a tire and to quietly stop and stand with the tire in tow. We’ll accomplish this using the same routine we used with the singletree – a series of small steps to ensure your horse doesn’t become overwhelmed or frightened with the process.

Your tire should be a lightweight car-type tire – no rim. Using a heavy tire to start with can make your horse’s shoulders sore and make him unwilling to pull, so stay light to start with. Later, as he gets used to the idea of pushing into the collar, you can add some heavier weight if you want.

Attach a short length of chain around the tire using a snap-hook (Photo 1). With your horse outfitted in his harness you’re ready to get started.

After a few minutes spent warming up and reminding your horse of your singletree work, let your horse approach and investigate the tire. Then, with a lead line attached to the tire chain, have your trusty assistant pull the tire in a large circle around your horse, as you did with the singletree introduction. Once comfortable with this, follow the same sequence you did previously: let your horse follow the tire as it is dragged in front of him, then to each side and finally behind him (Photo 2). Remember that the first time you pull the tire beside your horse you should start between the horse and the rail or wall of your work space then move to the other side.

While you’re doing this exercise, it is important to closely observe your horse for signs of nervousness or anxiety. If you see these signs, move away a bit and give him some room, then gradually work closer again. You should not progress any further until your horse is once again relaxed. Once he’s showing you he’s not concerned with the tire behind him, it’s time to give your helper a rest and make the horse do the work!

You’ll likely need to lengthen the traces with loops of baling twine or thin rope to ensure the singletree doesn’t hit your horse’s hind legs while he walks. Using a trace hanger at this point is a good idea. A trace hanger is a strap that runs through the backstrap on the harness, over the croup, with loops at either end. The traces can be run through the loops to help keep them from hanging too low while you’re pulling the tire.

Take a moment to remind your horse of the sensation of weight in the collar by having your helper pull on the traces while you ground drive. Attach the traces to the singletree then connect the quick-release shackle on the singletree to the clip on the tire chain. Make sure you have a string or light rope through the quick-release so you can release the tire in the event your horse becomes worried.

Begin walking in a straight line, and make your first several corners very wide and gentle – no tight direction changes at this point. Practice stopping and starting once your horse is relaxed pulling the tire (Photo 3).

If your horse is calm and seems comfortable with the tire, you can try making slightly tighter turns so the outside trace lays more firmly against his leg. Be happy with a few rounds of your work area in each direction for this first exercise with the tire. Stop before your horse tires or becomes sore – remember he will use different muscles while pulling, and the collar will also put pressure on him in new places.

If all is well, begin progressing as you did with the singletree work. Pull the tire across different surfaces, practice halting and standing quietly, and eventually work towards walking around the neighbourhood while pulling the tire. Spend as much time as needed to ensure your horse is truly comfortable with this exercise.

Safe driving! Elisa

Photo 1 – Singletree and tire

Photo 2 - Gaining confidence around the tire

Photo 3 - Calmly pulling the tire

Elisa Marocchi is an Equestrian Canada licensed driving coach and a member of the EC Driving Committee. She owns and operates Wildwood Farm, a full service driving facility near 100 Mile House BC. An active driving coach since 2000, Elisa offers clinics and lessons in a safe, supportive and fun manner both on and off the farm. As a combined driving competitor, Elisa has successfully competed throughout North America with both her own homebred horses and those of clients.