In response to letters and emails from people with training and behavior questions about their equines, Meredith has created a series of short training tip videos to help address some of these common issues. Be sure to check out the Detailed Descriptions if you’d like the printable guide that goes along with each video.
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If you have a training question or an idea for another Training Tip video, check out the Ask Meredith section for commonly asked questions, or click here to submit your question.
Select a category to display Training Tips:
Donkey Training | Feeding & Management | Tack, Equipment & Restraints | Grooming | Imprinting, Desensitization & Good Manners |Leading for Good Posture & Core Strength |
Lunging for Good Posture & Core Strength |Ground Driving |Riding Training |
Arena Training | General Performance Training |Jumping | Driving | Postural Rehabilitation
Driving Versus Riding
Fitting the Harness
Driving Bits
Verbal Commands for Driving
Carts and Carriages
Pre Hitch Training
Pulling A Drag
Pre Hitch Training a Team
Hitching to the Vehicle
Reinsmanship
Pleasure Driving
Combined Driving
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Driving Versus Riding
Riding can be dangerous, but driving is even more dangerous if an animal hitched to a vehicle is spooked. It is important to be patient and take training slowly and thoroughly.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Fitting the Harness
A harness that does not fit will not pull efficiently and can cause distress to your equine, so make sure your harness fits!
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Driving Bits
Know the action on the different driving bits so you are able to select the bit that is most suitable for your driving prospect.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Verbal Commands for Driving
Verbal commands are every bit as important to communication with your equine as your drive lines.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Carts and Carriages
When selecting a vehicle for your equine, be sure it is suitable for his stature and ability to pull.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Pre Hitch Training
If you want to avoid an accident, it is important to prepare your equine properly before you ever hitch him to the vehicle.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Pulling A Drag
It is helpful to your equine to learn how to pull weight behind him before he is actually hitched to the vehicle.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Pre Hitch Training a Team
After driving single, when driving a team, it is helpful for your equine to be ground driven with his teammate(s) before being hitched to a vehicle or wagon.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Hitching to the Vehicle
When harnessing your equine to the vehicle, know all the straps, what they do, where they go and the tension that is needed.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Reinsmanship
Whether driving with the Achenbach method of one-handed driving, or using general Reinsmanship with two hands, practice makes perfect. So make sure you get plenty of practice before heading down a road or going to a show.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Pleasure Driving
Pleasure driving has many applications both on the road and in the show ring, but it should always be fun!
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ]. -
Combined Driving
Combined Driving is similar to Combined Training in that there are three elements that will be scored: Driven Dressage, a cones course in a confined space and the cross country ‘hazards’ course.
And check out the bonus Training Tip Detailed Descriptions! Each Detailed Description explains the subject of the video in a bit more detail and depth, including additional photos. These documents are each about 2 - 4 pages long, and they make it easy to print out the basics of the lesson to read and study offline.
To watch the video full-screen, click the icon in the bottom right corner of the player that looks like: [ ].