WEVSC Hosts Driving Clinic
By Julie Woodbury
A different kind of “Driver’s Education” was held March 15th and 16th in Watford City, this Driving Clinic used real horsepower. Area teamsters taught new drivers to harness and drive draft horses during the two-day event, hosted by White Earth Valley Saddle Club and held at the McKenzie County Ag Expo Arena.
The clinic began with explanations of parts of a driving harness, horse handling tips for large horses, and appropriate ground manners for these horses, who can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Then it was time for hands-on skill-building. Allen Lund, Larry Frei, Chris Kubal, John Woodbury, and Craig Hystad each brought in their own teams, and students were able to do everything from grooming, to harnessing, hitching, and driving.
After horses were harnessed, students, assisted by the experienced teamsters, took the lines and practiced “ground-driving”. This is where the person walks behind the horses, managing the horses’ direction and speed with long lines attached to bridles. A special criss-cross pattern at the horses’ heads means both horses can be controlled with a single set of lines. Voice cues are also used, including “Gee” for right, “Haw” for left, and “Woah” for stop, but also clicking, kissing, and other phrases and sounds. These are just examples, though, as each teamster uses his/her own cues.
Once students had a feel for the lines and an understanding of how to make horses turn, stop, and back up, it was time to hook up to carts or wagons. Several types of forecarts, wagons, and stoneboats were brought in. Each of these have different purposes and provide different driving challenges. Students were able to drive different types, and work with different teams and their teamsters, all while making sure horses were given appropriate breaks. At the end of the day, students helped un-harness, brush out the horses, and put them out in stalls. Many of the students and teamsters gathered for supper, with more draft-horse related discussion as a side dish.
Sunday morning, students helped brush and harness horses again, and got a refresher in ground-driving. They all noticed how much “better” the horses handled, but really, it was just their comfort and experience that had changed. After some more driving of singles and teams, they started working on “four-up” hitches (two horses in front and another two behind, followed by the wagon) and “four-abreast” hitches (four horses side by side, all followed by the wagon.) The Driving Clinic ended at noon. Lunch of pulled pork sandwiches was provided by John Woodbury, and then it was time for the Draft Horse Challenge. Here the students got one more chance to show off their new skills.
The Obstacle Course uses logs, a tarp, poles for a “dock” and barrels for a figure-eight. This tests drivers on speed and accuracy in driving their teams, and the horses willingness to go over obstacles such as a tarp on the ground. The students did a simplified version of a standard course that is used by the North Dakota Draft Horse Association. Then other teamsters completed the Obstacle Course, Poles, and Cloverleaf Barrels. There were a total of twenty-four participants in the Draft Horse Challenge.
This event was part of the WEVSC 2025 Draft Horse Challenge series, which will conclude in October, when final awards will be given. Results for the March Draft Horse Challenge can be found on the White Earth Valley Saddle Club Facebook page.