The real reason your driving horse seems stuck in their training—and why practice alone won't solve the problems
You see other drivers and their horses working seamlessly together—moving as one, calm and focused, with a beauty that feels like a dance. You crave that same smooth, enjoyable experience, but no matter how much you practise, it still feels just out of reach.
You’re feeling stuck. You’ve tried everything—repeating exercises, watching videos, reading books—but it’s like there’s an invisible wall standing between you and that effortless connection you see others have with their horses. It’s disheartening to pour your energy into training, only to find yourself facing the same problems over and over.
You try to ask your horse to go forward, and you're met with rearing, balking, spinning, or bolting. Sometimes these behaivours seem to come out of nowhere; other times, you can sense them coming miles away, yet you still can't prevent them. You’re left frustrated, asking yourself, “What am I missing? Why isn’t this working?”
You keep going through the motions, hoping that somehow, one day, things will just click into place. You think, “If I just practise more, it will get better.” But instead, you feel like you’re stuck in a cycle—doing the same thing again and again, without the results you want. It’s exhausting, emotionally draining, and it leaves you doubting whether you're on the right track at all.
You’re on the brink of quitting. Your horse has been relegated to a pasture ornament because this whole driving thing just isn’t working. You are afraid to drive, worried about the next problem that will arise; so frustrated and confused that it’s no longer fun. You question whether it’s time to give up on your driving dreams altogether.
But here’s the hard truth:
Without a solid foundation and a clear training plan, practice often just reinforces the same mistakes.
There’s a better way forward—one that builds a confident, reliable driving partner by addressing issues right at their root. Instead of “coping” with unwanted behaviours, you can overcome them by strengthening your foundation from the ground up. By thoughtfully planning your training in clear, bite-sized steps, you’ll guide your horse to be relaxed, focused, and ready for the road ahead.
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The good news is, it’s not too late to turn things around. You CAN build the driving partnership you’ve always dreamed of, and it’s simpler than you think. Sometimes, in order to move forward, you need to take a step back—back to the fundamental groundwork that lays the foundation for your horse's education. By addressing the root causes of the issues you’re facing, you’ll clear the path for real, lasting progress.
It’s a process, but one that works.
By breaking your horse's training down into bite-sized steps and focusing on the basics first, you’ll rebuild trust, consistency, and communication with your horse. This thoughtful approach will see your horse becoming much more calm, responsive, and eager to work, and in time, create the partnership that you desire.
Imagine what it would feel like to:
Drive a calm, responsive horse who is attentive and eager to work with you
Feel the ease of a driving horse who’s relaxed, tuned in, and ready to embrace each new step with you. No more feeling disconnected or wondering if you’ll get through to them; your horse will be focused, at ease, and a reliable partner.
Feel confident and capable in your driving
Whether it’s building new skills, going new places, or tackling unforeseen obstacles, you’ll know exactly how to move forward without second-guessing. Enjoy the freedom of feeling in control, equipped with tools and techniques that truly work.
Share a true partnership with your horse, rooted in trust and understanding
No more struggles or misunderstandings. You and your horse will grow into a team that responds to each other naturally, creating a partnership that feels effortless and in tune.
Enjoy every training session, knowing clearly what to do to keep moving forward
With a clear plan and achievable goals, each session will feel purposeful. Instead of frustration, you’ll find joy in seeing steady, visible progress, knowing you’re setting you and your horse up for success.
Feel proud of the progress you’ve made and excited for what’s next
As you overcome each obstacle, you’ll build the confidence to take on new challenges and expand what’s possible. You’ll look back and see how far you’ve come, and look forward with excitement at what’s still ahead for you and your horse.
The truth is, most driving problems stem from missing foundational steps in training.
Recognizing these gaps and addressing them thoughtfully from the ground up leads to real, lasting progress.
The result?
A relaxed, responsive horse—and the driving partnership you’ve always dreamed of.
It’s time to stop “hoping” things will improve and start seeing real progress with your horse. Let’s move past frustration and guide your horse to success together.
Presented by Christine Beattie,
professional carriage driver, teamster, coach, & trainer
Christine is an accomplished horsewoman and teamster with a background in commercial carriage work. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Christine offers training programs, lessons, and clinics in driving, groundwork, and liberty training. She mentors students around the world through her online courses and virtual instruction. With over 25 years of experience, her grounded, thoughtful approach emphasizes communication, connection, and confidence between horse and human.
