drive lines as a base for training THE HORSE GAZETTE By Nolan Leach Professional Trick Roper & Horseman


many uses; I use them to teach a horse the basics before getting in the saddle.


Drive lines have


it easy for the horse to teach itself how to move in a more natural manner. The easiest way for


head. Drive lines are a great safety factor, especially when teaching a horse to back up for the first time as many horses tend to lock up when learning to back up.


many ways of keeping them from blowing up, it is a whole lot smarter and less risky to be on the ground out of harm’s way in the first stages of the game.


Ropes • Guns Bullwhips


For more information e-mail mustangnolan@gmail.com


Visit: www.NolanLeach.com


the ground, and after a bit of suppling and desensitization, I will put the horse in the drive lines as they help simplify the task of teaching the horse a new maneuver by eliminating the distraction of a rider being on their back. They also make


I start each colt on


most applications is if you use a surcingle. If you don’t have a surcingle, your saddle will be a decent substitute. I have two usual


horses in that are bad about flip- ping over backwards, and I take them back to the basics. You cannot stop a


I occasionally get


horse from flipping over, but you can control the situation and play the cards in your fa- vor. When in doubt, use drive lines. Having made this mistake


Whi le there are


accomplish? We want a sof t


submissive horse that has an open mind ready to learn new things.


much like the old vaqueros’ bridle horses. When we pick up on them and ask them to perform, they bridle up (bend at the neck and poll, while in a forward motion) and willingly do what is asked of them. We want a horse to


perform without the rider hav- ing to enforce maneuvers such as stopping, turning, or backing up, but is simply at the point of doing what he is asked. I want y’all to stop


and think about that for a mo- ment.


mean to have a broke horse? I don’t just mean that


What does it really


he doesn’t shy or spook from bags blowing in the wind or things like that. I’m talking about a horse that works with its rider as a team, not trying to test the waters every day. A horse with speed control, who slows down as the rider slows their seat down. They stay up off of the reins and take the subtle cues from the rider and respond accordingly. A balanced horse is a


places I attach the drive lines on the saddle. The primary way is to clip the end of the line to the snaffle bit and run it back through your stirrups which are tied together underneath the horse’s belly. This is a good way to


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help encourage a high headed horse to relax his neck, lower- ing his head a bit to create a better topline. The other way to


before, I can honestly say that having a horse flip over on you feels about like getting hit by a bus.


basics; what are we trying to Let’s go back to the


horse that doesn’t overly favor a particular side.A horse that stays up off of its front end and drives from behind, because not only is that important for your stops and lead changes, but it is one of the major rea-


We want a horse,


hook up a pair of drive lines is to attach some O-rings to the front dee rings of the saddle and run the lines through the O- rings. This method works well for a horse that tries to hide his nose down low and needs to be brought up a bit. Drive lines help de-


sensitize the horse, making them face their fear of ropes draping all over them, all the


Jet


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while not allowing them to run away from that fear. They also help hold the horse’s body in shape while teaching maneu- vers on the ground. By starting a colt this way it doesn’t give them the opportunity to learn an incorrect headset. Because of your ability to adjust the attachment of the drive lines; the horse also learns that it is inconvenient to throw his


sons that many horses tend to swing their hip out and turn on their front end (much like a forklift).


horses to this point? It all starts here with the basics, on the ground.


How do we get our


lan by email at mustang- nolan@gmail.com or visit his website at: www.nolan- leach.com


You can reach No-


26-equine study courses leading to a Bachelor of Science Degree, Professional Horse Trainer or Riding Instructor Certification, or any single course for your personal enrichment.


WWW.HORSECOURSESONLINE.COM


Don Blazer teaches Conformation and Selection for Performance, Training Performance Horses, Bits and Shoeing and The Business of Making Money with Horses. Nancy Cahill teaches Perfect Lead Changes. Norma Fay teaches Fit to Ride. Tammy Fifer teaches Dressage: Foundation for All Riding Disciplines. Cathy Hanson teaches Preparation for Competition and Showmanship In Hand. Ruth E. Kochard teaches Legal Aspects of Horse Management. Betty Lindquist teaches Equine Massage. Todd Martin teaches Train for Rein- ing. Holly Mason teaches Flexibility by Design. Dr. Jim & Lynda McCall teaches Behavior Modification Techniques and Coat Color Genetics. Eleanor Richards teaches Nutrition for Maximum Performance and Stable Management. Dr. Jack Sales teaches Equine Health and Disease Management and Equine Reproduction. R.E. Smith teaches Traditional Vaquero Hackamore Training. Cherie Vonada teaches Riding Instructor Role and Responsibility and Teaching Techniques and Hunter Under Saddle.


Page 8 Visit us at: www.HorseGazette.com


JMK Superwoman


• 2008 AQHA/PHBA Filly • 2008 Go for the Gold Futurity winner


• 2009 AQHA Grand Champion


• 2009 Dixie National Class winner


Photos: Vanessa Phillips


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