Teaching your Horse to Drive/Longline Part 1 Desensitizing

[seerfarm]

INTRODUCTION:

Teaching your horse to drive and or longline can be not only fun, but a great way to also enjoy added skills/abilities/knowledge to both horse and handler of all ages.

Over the next few months, I am hoping that we can all learn and or benefit from this training journal. While I am certain I have not cornered the market on the knowledge in this department, I hope that I can atleast add some beneficial information and technics that will be useful and or helpful to all interested in learning how to teach there horse to drive and or longline.

I also encourage everyone who reads along, to not be afraid to ask any and all questions that they may have (regardless of how minor and or silly you may think). Remember: A bad question is one that goes Unasked, and through sharing we can all learn.

To recap a prior thread discussion that got this all started...I will be using three horses to help demonstrate as we go along.

Our main participant will be Dakota, my 9 yr. old 16 H QH Gelding. Dakota is a seasoned longliner, and he will also be first introduced to the final steps, weight bearing/drag testing before a cart will be added.

Chet, my 7 yr. old 15.1 H QH Mare has basic longlining skills, so we will refining those, adding the bit and preparing her for weight bearing and drag testing as well.

Sparky, (Gadew's) 18 yr. old 16 H Appendix Gelding is our newbie so to speak. He will be taught how to longline and drive from the very beginning, and should provide us with "How to Overcome" challenges and or issues that may arise through the learning process.

Now, to get started! First I would like to go over the list of things that you will need, or can use to get you safely and efficiently started in the fun and interesting world of Driving/Longlining.

I have included a photo that pictures those things that I use to get started. I will be adding new and or different equipment as we go along. We can also discuss safe and useful alternatives in the equipment department.







You will need: (Pictured left to right)

2 Cotton Longlines
1 Surcingle
2 Strap Extensioners
1 Rope Halter (Desensitizing Training)
1 Proper fitting Halter (Leather and or Webbed) Not pictured
1 Cotton Saddle Pad
1 Pair Gloves
1 Buggy Whip

Will add later:

1 Side Pull
Driving Reins
Snaffle Bit
Bridle/Headstall
Side Reins
Saddle (If no training Surcingle can be used)

[3horses]

This should be interesting for me to keep watch of. Apparently my 14yr old paint that I got at the end of last summer has no idea how to longe. I was shocked that she has no clue. I thought horses were trained to do that early on. Shows what I know...

[redboy]

Thanks Seerfarm,..., how interesting!!

[country-mare]

This is going to be great!
Thanks Seer, for taking the time to do it.

[annem]

I shall enjoy learning more and watching this subject to gain that knowledge.

[seerfarm]

Part 1... Desensitizing:


First let me start by adding this. If your horse is NOT yet leading and stopping properly, he/she is not ready in my opinion to begin Longlining/Drive Training. Also, if your horse has issue's such as bitting, rearing and or kicking, those issue's also need to be dealt with before starting this type of training.

Desensitization ( Not over Desensitization) is going to be an important part to start with, as it will lay a foundation for all that will follow. Not only is it important to help and reduce injuries to you but your horse, should he/she spook and run off, or get tangled in the lines and or reins while working. You need to know that level heads will prevail, and you can assist your horse with relative confidence and security, that you both will not be at any more risk than need be. Safety First!

For this lesson you will need either a Rope/Webbed/Leather Halter that fits properly to your horse, a buggy whip and a lead rope. I prefer cotton leads as there is less of a burn risk to you and your horse.

We will first begin with using the 10 ft. cotton lead rope. The rope will be use to help get your horse use to having things rubbing/dragging and bumping along his sides, back, legs and (feet should he get caught in the longlines/driving reins). Begin by standing with your horse on the leadline and facing him/her. Then gently throw the excess lead rope over the center of the back allowing it to drape over the side and over the butt down over the haunches. While it is draped you will pull it back and forth several times, remove it and do it again. In this position you will also use the rope in a gentle pendulum motion to bumb down the sides and along his butt and hip. If at any time your horse becomes nervous, fearful, unsettled and or will not stand for this exercise...STOP. Take up the lead and walk your horse off into a large circle to relax and refocus him/her. Along the way do several stops and starts with a few backing steps. Return to try again...This exercise needs to be repeated until your horse can stand without any issue's. Once you can do this with the lead rope, then repeat the process with the end of the buggy whip. It may only take one session, and or it may take many spread over the course of a week to many weeks, however it is imperative that if they cannot handle this you do not move forward with any more steps.

Next you will begin working on the legs. (For this exercise at first, make sure that you have a able/horse savvy handler that can hold your horse). This is an important step, and can be everso important should your longlines and or drive lines get tangled and or drop down along or inside your horses legs. The object is to not only desensitize them to the brushing and or feeling, but to teach them to slow and or stop should they get caught up. Again, we will use the cotton lead line for this exercise. Begin first by going through the prior lesson with bumping, sliding and tapping of the body and haunches, then slowly working your way down your horses legs. You will want to create a swing motion that will wrap the lead rope gently around there legs and then gently pull it off. Start with the front legs and then work to the back. Once you can complete this on all four legs, then use the buggy whip to gently rub the legs all over and up the inside.

Most important is safety, so please make sure that you and your handler make sure that you position yourselves properly. Make sure that you are aware of how your horse is reacting and make sure that your handler is communicating this clearly to you. While there can be issues with front legs, extra attention should be payed when moving on to the back. Kicking is a big concern as it is more of a reflex reaction, so please be cautious!

We will cover this again when we add the longlines and a few more exercises.


I will end this here, and will add some photos tomorrow.



Should anyone have any questions and or comments, please feel free to bring them up between the discussion topics.

[MatchMaker]

Thanks for the thread. Can't wait to learn more about driving!

Quick typo I think : There CAN be issues with the front legs : )

[seerfarm]

Thank you...yep missed that one.

[seerfarm]

OK, as promise I now have demonstration photos. Our horse participant for the desensitization section is Dakota 9 yr. old QH Gelding. (Please excuse Dakota's winter fuzzies...poor boy is already hot from too much hair. You will however, get to see him shed it all out and change color! )


Halter Fit: Make sure that it fits to the bridge of the nose, with 2-3 finger links underneath. Snug to the head without being to tight.




Cotton Lead Rope: Thrown over the back, then pulled back and forth.





Cotton Lead Rope: Thrown over the haunches, then pulled back and forth.





Cotton Lead Rope: Body taps and swing down the sides, and under the belly.







Cotton Lead Rope: Swung around front leg and gently pulled around and off.





Cotton Lead Rope: Swung around rear leg and gently pulled around and off.



Cotton Lead Rope: Swung around and over hock and gently pulled off.




Repeat these exercises on both sides, until your horse will stand calmly and quietly without issue. These also need to be repeated each and everytime you begin, and are working your way through this entire training process. Go back to the beginning if issue's arise and or if you or your horse experience a layoff from regular training work.

[seerfarm]

Continued:

Cotton Longeline: Swung over and pulled across the body.





Cotton Longeline: Swung over haunches and pulled across haunches.





Buggy Whip Desensitize: Touching and moving the buggy Whip over the same places as the Lead Rope and Longeline





Cotton Longeline: Line down the side, but caught between rear legs. Move line up and down. This exercise is to teach them to stand quiet and stop, not panic and wait for you to untangle the line. (Note: Dakota, as I stated before is a longeline veteran, so you will notice that he has no one at his head. He has been trained to stand still while he is having his surcingle fitted and the longeline pulled through to begin work. As I had previously stated, until your horse is trained and ready for this step, keep a savvy horse handler with a lead rope attached at your horses head.)


Relaxes and waits for me to drop the line and pull it back to proper position. Notice his ear listen to me to tell him to wait.

[cabhorse]

Thanks Seerfarm for the wonderful pictures, as a visual learner they are most helpful. So far I can do this w/ my green horse, but he starts to back up on me and he (me too) really do not know the right cues to turn left or right either. We have worked on this through the winter in the barn. I look forward to some more training tips and pictures!

[seerfarm]

Originally Posted by cabhorse

Thanks Seerfarm for the wonderful pictures, as a visual learner they are most helpful. So far I can do this w/ my green horse, but he starts to back up on me and he (me too) really do not know the right cues to turn left or right either. We have worked on this through the winter in the barn. I look forward to some more training tips and pictures!

Thank You, the photos aren't great but as I also learn better with the visual, I felt it could help.

May I ask...At what point does he start to back up? Are you paying attention to your hold hand (ie: the hand you are holding the rope below the halter) as to not apply down and back pressure? Or is he backing up to get away from the slight rope pressure that is touching and bumping his body?

I will be covering the basic beginning of turns in the next few lessons.

[cabhorse]

SeerFarm, Funny you should ask because just tonight he walked on farther and understood my cueing to turn right then left. He backed up only when I applied slight pressure. I have been using shorter lines so I was closer to his butt and I gave him a pat on it and forward he went. I will use my longer lines once I can be outside with him and have more room. I was just pleased with his progress. Like Ive said before we are both "WIPs" I was also able to draw the lead lines through his legs and around his entire body. He is also used to a lunge whip touching him w/o fuss. Months ago never. Now he just watches me w/out any fear in his eyes. One never knows about tomorow though Thanks again for your very helpful pictures and explanations. I do have a question for you or anyone. When I work with my gelding, he is 8yrs old. on any given issue and he seems to have gotten it, a few days or wk later its like hes never been introduced to it. Do they forget that quickly? I wish I could understand why one day I can be leading him down the driveway and there is all kinds of noise going on (we do this on a regular basis) and then sometimes its like his first time? any insight on this? thanks

[seerfarm]

This is my take on your question:

While I believe that some horses are capable of learning just about anything, I believe that just as humans some may have trouble with short and long term memory. I also believe, that just as humans (take you and I for instant, who learn better it seems with visual aid) some horses require and or need different teaching and or training approaches. Some horses I have dealt with have also taken alot longer to learn and retain things versus others.

I would also have you ask yourself "How, What, Why and When are my questions being asked" to my horse. It may help you better get an idea of how he is perceiving everything.

A thought here as well...maybe he isn't forgetting at all. It is a new day, and since his last trip, walk and or training session things have changed, so maybe you may also need to change ever so slightly how you approach them for a different and or better response. Relief of boredom and or monotony to keep his mind busy as to not "focus" on changes that really aren't such a big deal.

[seerfarm]

So, if no one has any questions about what has already been covered, I will put up Part 2 Tomorrow.

It will cover the surcingle fit, drive line attaching, proper hand postitioning, walking on, beginning of turns and stops.

[Stormy's Human]

Can't wait

[Luvridn]

I am so excited! My horse has been desensitized to everything in Step one, but could stand a refresher. Looking forward to step 2!

Great pics also Seer!

[annem]

Cabhorse, for safety reasons, I would suggest you aren't close enough to your horse's back end so that you can ask him to move forward with your hand. Your horse may kick out at you and you don't want that. Be far enough away that if he does decide to kick, you can't get hit.

As for your question about horses remembering after a break. I have always found that the three horses that I trained remembered everything from where we left off. Some were more responsive and others needed more encouragement, but basically they all remembered. Sounds like you are doing good though.