Ground Driving

This past weekend was full of fun and exciting times for Baby D. Son & I got her all brushed out after a few days of rolling in the mud, grabbed the saddle, pad and bridle, with her still in the cross ties we tacked her all up. This was a first time being tacked up while tied, and she didn’t try to avoid anything at all. She’s really coming along nicely.
We round pen her at the trot for a minute and then hook the lead rope to the bit and get her flexing and following her head really nicely.
We grab the driving reins, run them through the stirrups and ask her to walk on. With just the slightest of cues, she follows the direction both right and left. We worked on those two for about 5 minutes circling, weaving, and doing figure 8’s in the round pen when the big test comes. I gently pull back on the reins and ask “Whoa” and she STOPS. No head throwing, no rear, no extra steps, just a complete full stop!
I ask son if he’d like a ride around the round pen and he excitedly said “YES” so up he climbs, and we walk around with the lead rope. We are not riding her at this time, so these few and far between “rides” are just for her to get used to someone being above her, and so far, she’s taking to it like a fish takes to water.
Since then, we’ve had husband on using the lead rope tied to her halter for direction, and again, she did awesome! She’s coming along so nicely, I’m very excited for her to turn 3 in August and for the real training to start!!