Training horse-ground up

Question
I have a 2year old mare, pasture raised (was wild) I'm training this horse on my own. I've only had her for about a month. I have no experience with training a horse at all. But, I have got her to halter, lead, stand, hoof trimming, bridle & bit, Wearing the saddle around with alittle weight on it. I do set on her back for a little bit here & there.    Q? is: I have just started driving her from behind with a make shift harness for the reins to hold on to. Someone told me to use the stirrups for the reins to go through. So I try it & now she keeps her head real low to the ground & keeps it there. (while moving)  

Answer
Hi April!

Wow, you go girl!  It is great that your mare is a blank slate.  Sometimes people do way too much to horses and can make a real mess of things.  I would much rather have a two year old with no handling than one that was started badly.

I really want you to get some good help with your horse.  Your courage and commitment is wonderful, but you shouldn't have to reinvent the wheel.  There are some great people and wonderful information for you to check out that will really benefit you and your horse.

Look up Buck Brannaman, Ray Hunt, Bryan Neubert, Joe Wolter, Peter Campbell on the web.  These wonderful, talented horsemen travel the country doing horsemanship and colt starting clinics for people just like you.  They will teach and help you with your horse, keep you safe and offer up great information.  Look for Ricky Quinn, also. Ricky is one of the few guys that will actually ride your horse for you.  In four days with Ricky your horse will be packing a saddle, and will be ridden with QUALITY at the walk, trot, lope, yielding hindquarters, stop, back up, as well as packing a snaffle bit.  This will not be a hidden process as with many horse trainers.  You will be an active participant and partner in the training.

I really believe in getting quality help.  It is difficult for the green horse to learn from a green handler.  Someone has to go first.  Get the help you need for the good of your horse.  Keep asking questions, I'll do the best I can to help you.  

There is so much more you can do to prepare your horse to be ridden.  You need to do tons of ground work.   Teaching your horse to yield its hindquarters is about the most important.  This is your emergency brake and clutch for your horses engine.  

Leading your horse up to the fence.  You climb up on a good fence or round pen and lead your horse up to you.  This allows you horse to see you from above without actually getting on.  You stay safe and your horse gets comfortable with someone above her.  This is an important step and should not be missed.

Changing of eyes.  I'll keep this complicated issue short.  If you want more information about this let me know.   There are lots of exercises to use to get your horse comfortable changing eyes.  Example:  when an object leaves your horses left eye goes behind her into the natural blind spot and then appears again in the right eye, the horse can become scared and jump, bolt, or kick.  You have to build confidence through changing of eyes in order for your horse to no longer be bothered by this.

I know this is a long answer.  I just want you to see what is the tip of the iceberg in horse training.  There are so many better things to do with your horse than the ground driving.  Please stop.  Your horse is building a brace and learning to travel in a very un-natural way.

Anything that you do in this process, take a good, hard look at it.  If your horse does not look balanced and natural, you are creating a brace.

Remember, your horse is your best teacher.  Observe, compare, remember.  Watch your horse in the pasture.  She should look as relaxed and natural under saddle as she does out on her own.  If the picture is anything else...change something.  

I hope this helps.  I'm looking forward to you sharing your progress!