Teaching a Horse to Long-Rein

Question
Hello,
 I have a 17-year-old mini gelding that did know how to drive but now is very disobedient. I would like to teach him to ground drive/long-rein before I put myself in a dangerous situation. I haven't got the equipment, but I have a halter and plenty of lead ropes and two lunge lines. I also have his harness and cart, and a driving whip, what should I start his training in? What are some key points to remember or other things I may need/need to know? I have been around horses for my whole life, been riding for since I was 2, and am at First Level in Dressage, but I am very green at driving. I would like to know all you can tell me or all I should know. My mini horse knows the commands just has disciplinary issues that I am taking care of. Thank you in advance for your advice.

Answer
Sara,

OK.  He knows how to drive, you need to learn.  You have his harness, that's a good start.  You will just the following parts of his driving harness to start with.

Bridle, lines (reins), circingle.  If the crupper and breeching are attached to the circingle you can leave them on, just loop the breeching straps (known as hold-backs) through the loops of the shaft stirrups on the circingle to keep them out of the way.  

Put the circingle on him, then thread the lines through the rings on the circingle and fasten them to the bit on his bridle.  I put the bridle on last thing.  The reins probably have to be buckled on the rings of the bit.  I have clips on the ends of my reins so I just clip them on and off.  Anyhow, position yourself on his left side, a few feet away from his hip, and tell him to "walk".  You may need to tap him on the butt with a whip (I use a dressage whip in this situation because it's a good length).  Steer him around with the lines.  When you turn him to the right simply walk around behind him to the right side.  You want to stay on the inside of the bends/circle you have him working in.  Get comfortable with driving him from a distance behind too, where you would be if you were in a cart.  I hope you are only planning on using a 2-wheel cart to start at least.  They are the easiest to handle.  If possible find someone to show you how to actually hook him to the cart because it's hard to explain where everything hooks up and the correct order to do it in.  Make sure you have this little boy obeying you without question before you hook him up.  Have someone with a lead attached to his halter (I leave the halter on under the bridle usually) go along with you next to him the first couple of times you hook him up just for safety's sake.  I would suggest you start driving him with a sideliner and in a ring until you are comfortable with your handling of the vehicle as well as driving him.  

Every horse I've ever trained to drive was good regardless of how long it was from their training to when they were driven again.  They don't forget.  Little ones can be kind of tricky because they are small and quick.  That's why I stressed having him obedient before you actually hook him up.  Make sure you wear a helmet too!

Good luck and let me know how it goes.

Lyn