4 minute read
In the Driver’s Seat with Elisa
with Elisa Marocchi
Introducing Your Horse to Driving – Part 3
Now that your horse is consistently and promptly walking, trotting, cantering and halting with voice commands on the single lunge, it’s time to move on to double lungeing.
First though, a reminder that these exercises should be done with the help of an experienced driver. The actual first hitch and early drives should be with the assistance of a professional, or a seasoned driver.
The steps outlined here and in subsequent articles provide an overview only. More detailed explanations can be found in my publication, “Introducing your Horse to Driving” (available at www.wildwoodfarm.ca) or in any number of excellent books available on the subject.
s usual, equip yourself with non-slip, sturdy footwear and leather gloves. You may wish to wear a helmet for this work. A helper is invaluable for the first tries at this exercise, so round one up!
Working in a secure area if possible, spend a few minutes on the single lunge, ensuring your horse is responding well to voice commands. Once warmed up, it’s time to introduce the equipment for double lungeing. In addition to the single lunge line you’ve been using, you’ll need a surcingle with side rings, two more lunge lines or a continuous single lunge line and a lunge whip. The lines I use are continuous rather than two separate lines, but you can use either (Photo 1). My double lunge line, designed for large horses, is 50’ overall in length. You will want to have a shorter set if working with ponies or minis. (Photo 1)
If your horse has never had a girth or surcingle on, you’ll need to spend time on the single lunge getting him comfortable with it before proceeding. Assuming he is happy with it, place the surcingle on your horse but at this time omit a crupper unless your horse is already accustomed to wearing one. With the single lunge line still in place, run a line through a low-set ring on the surcingle on each side, and attach the lines to the bit. Have your assistant stand at your horse’s head, holding the single lunge line, while you work your way behind your horse with the double lunge lines, well out of the kick zone.
Begin to gently move the lines around, so they touch your horse on the flank and legs. Make sure to let the lines drape down at times, so they touch the lower legs (Photo 2), and once your horse is comfortable and relaxed, flip the lines, one at a time, up onto his croup. Your goal is for your horse to be relaxed and worry-free as you move the lines about. When I’m driving, I don’t want a line that accidentally lands on the horse’s croup to mean “go!” I only want my horse to move out when I ask him to with my voice or whip aid, so it’s important that he be comfortable with the lines brushing up against him.
Once he is happy with this exercise, have your helper begin to lunge the horse at the walk while you let the lunge lines you are holding slide out. The goal here is for the helper to be controlling the horse at this point. Be aware that your horse may find the outside line – the one running around his butt to your hand – initially frightening and he may scoot when he feels it. Be sure to keep the line loose if this happens. Gradually, as your horse relaxes, begin taking up some contact on the lines until you are controlling the speed and are steering your horse.
As you and your horse become comfortable with the lines, you can begin trying some trot work, and eventually, remove the single lunge line.
Be sure to do lots of transitions, to work extensively at the walk to encourage relaxation, and to change direction frequently. Continue to reinforce voice commands, and eventually introduce canter work to your regime. When changing direction, try to keep contact on both lines as you do so. Also, attempt to keep the inside line at a 90 degree angle from where it exits the surcingle ring (Photo 3). This will ensure you don’t get in front of the horse’s direction of travel (which would discourage him from moving forward) or too far behind the line of travel (which would mean you would be walking more behind the horse than lungeing him around you).
Mastering this exercise can take a while for both you and your horse. Learning to handle two lunge lines, or a double lunge line in a safe and effective manner takes practice so don’t rush this step. If you can take a lesson from someone experienced with this work, it’s well worth it to do so. Once you and your horse are proficient at this work, you’ll be ready to move on to the next step in your driving journey!
Safe driving!
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.
Photo 1
Double lunge equipment
me standing directly behind the horse
double lunge angle shot with horse standing a ways away side view
