Training Miniature Horses to Drive

I had Cathie out to my farm to help me start my mini driving. I thought it was great to find a trainer willing to come out to my barn and work with me and my horse! My mini never had any previous driving training. Cathie worked magic with him! She started the ground work and progressed at a comfortable pace that left my little guy confident. 

She took things one step at a time to ensure he understood what was being asked before she moved on as to not skip any steps. What she accomplished with him in several sessions was truly amazing! Best of all, my horse was happy which speaks volumes to the training process.

Thanks, Cathie for your help!   Sara Minsk (Mendon, MA) 

Cathie and Sunny pulling a log for the first time.
Next step the cart!
 

It is with great pleasure that I write this letter on behalf of Cathie Hatrick Anderson. She is the best horse trainer who I have ever seen.  Not only will she help you with any problems which you may have with your animal she will take the time to teach you how to continue to obtain the same positive results from your equine friend. 

Four years ago, I was involved in a horrible riding accident.  Due to my school pony spooking with a bit in his mouth, I was thrown at a full gallop into the indoor arena wall. The impact was so severe that I knocked the clock in the tack room off the wall. The injury resulted with a broken knee is three places, femoral artery shattered, and a spiral facture of the right femur. I never stabilized enough even to reach intensive care. After countless operations, today you would never see the physical damage. However the fear of the event still haunts me. One friend present that December night ended her riding career. 

My husband did not want me to go back to the sport.  However since he understood my love of horses he strongly encouraged me to buy a miniature horse. At my new barn, the owner gave me some brochures on one of Cathy’s upcoming clinics.
 

We decided to go together for a fun Saturday afternoon. 

At BobCat farm, I could not believe the positive results Cathy was able to obtain with problem horses.One example was the owner informed Cathy that she was having trouble loading her horse into a trailer. By the end of the afternoon Cathy was able to ground drive the animal into the trailer.

Last Saturday, I spent three hours learning the safe methods on driving. This
is the first time that I have done anything with a full grown horse and truly green to the sport of driving. . However, due to my faith in Cathy and her training methods, I was not afraid to hitch and drive her beautiful mare, Cachina around the farm. Please look at the picture, no bit!

The next day we borrowed my friend’s miniature mare, Ginger. To the best of our knowledge, Ginger has never pulled a cart before. If you look closely at the picture, you will see that she does not even have a bitless bridle on it, rather her field halter. After we carefully checked her brakes, Ginger went out on a road for the first drive.

Cathy is a true horse whisper.  She will spend the time to show you how to handle the bad behaviors which many of our equine partners may develop. She can also help start a young foal, teach you how to load your horse, and the basics in driving.  Many horse trainers do not have the patience to instruct the human element of the partnership.  I sincerely believe that you owe it not only to yourself, your horse but to your family and friends to have a safe experience as possible around horses.  If you would like to speak to me in person, My home phone number is 508-788-1253 and my e-mail is heidimacarthur@yahoo.com.

Sincerely,
Heidi Jane Sardina M.Ed. 

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