Centered Driving
Centered Driving is the application of Centered Riding principles and techniques to the sport of driving, whether for pleasure, training or competition. The basic principles of Centered Riding (Soft Eyes, Breathing, Centering, Balance, Grounding and Clear Intent) all have practical applications to the Whip ’s (the driver’s) security, control, comfort and effective use of the aids, and the horse’s cooperation, movement and performance. In driving, the Whip’s touch on the reins, voice, and the driving whip are used to communicate with the horse; the horse responds mostly to what he feels from the Whip. A balanced, grounded and centered Whip, using eyes, breathing and clear intent and good use of his/her own body, can instill calmness, direction, confidence, rhythm, energy, balance and responsiveness into the horse, in addition to driving with better control, precision, and safety and with less fatigue. Because Centered Driving involves understanding the horse's gaits, balance and movement, and how these are affected by bitting, harness adjustment and vehicle balance, it is possible to help driving horses move with better gaits and balance, to pull the vehicle more smoothly and efficiently, and to drive with less stress and fatigue.
For more detailed information on Centered Driving, read Peggy Brown’s article on Centered Driving, on this site, first featured in The Whip, June 1999.
Peggy Brown has been developing and teaching Centered Driving techniques for many years. Besides training and competing in Pleasure, Versatility, Carriage Driving and Combined Driving Events, She gives Centered Driving lessons at her farm in Ohio and is available for a limited schedule of Centered Driving Clinics and Centered Driving Demonstrations and Lectures.
