Disco's Happy Place

On Tuesday night, I ground drove Disco, which marked the first time I really worked him since he's been here.

I couldn't replicate everything about Maude's setup, not even close, but I did my best to telegraph "driving" to him by putting him in his new driving bridle, which I also hoped would help keep his focus as we walked him past the mirrors for the first time.

 

Maude told me months ago that she thought he had the best work ethic of any horse she had ever worked with, and as I walked him out into the arena, I could already feel what she meant. He's not a particularly busy horse for a three year old, but a remarkable level of stillness and focus came over him as I put the lines through the surcingle.

When we stepped off - a little clumsily since I don't yet have a driving whip - I felt his whole world click into place through the lines. His walk was purposeful and powerful, almost too fast for me at first until I realized that he was putting enough power into it to pull the cart he was used to having behind him! 

He steered easily, even though Maude (very politely and sweetly) told me later I did it wrong by only using rein, that he was used to a whip for bending cues in addition to the rein for steering. His whoa was a WHOA, do not pass go, do not collect $200, do not move one single foot. Driving people don't mess around with that.

 

His level of focus, though, was the most amazing part. That was the first time he had been walked around that arena in almost two years, and even when we passed the mirrors, when he would look at the horse in the mirrors, I would say, "Hey, come back over here" using the rein, and he would say "Oh okay sorry, I forgot I was working" and go right back to being all business.

I just cannot believe that this is the same horse who was so indignant about being asked to do anything at all as a baby. Yes, of course good training and consistency and maturity play a huge part in it, but he was clearly so happy to go to work and do what his person told him to. It makes me so excited for the future. As Maude said, "You can do anything with a horse like this!"