2 things.......... naming a horse and breaking to drive!

C

cloverleaf1985

Well-Known Member
Joined
26 May 2007
Messages
2,603
Location
Devon, carrot cruncher land
Visit site
ok a friend of mine is about to get a 4 year old bay egyptian (sp?) arab filly and she doesn't know what to name her. any ideas? something 'pretty' and preferably beginning with R if poss!
Also im going to start breaking my pony to drive. he is ridden at present and very quite on the roads with traffic etc. i put a harness on him today and long reined him up the road. i have kindly been given a lightweight exercise trap to use. what would be a good schedule? ie long rein for 2 weeks etc (i have done this before but it's been a few years)
 
how about 'ruddy arab'
grin.gif
grin.gif
wink.gif
sorry,couldnt resist!
 
How old is the pony you are about to try and break to harness? How much experience have you of driving?

When we break them we long rein for a good six months then get them to pull a tyre before we would ever consider putting them in a vehicle. You also really need two people to break them. We break all ours at 3.
 
he is 5. has been ridden since last june. i long reined him before i started to ride him. in the past i have helped a good friend of mine break ponies including a pair from scratch. there is no shortage of capable helpers at the yard. i always go with the tyre etc just not sure how long to wait from long reining happily to attaching trap.
 
Once you have pulled the tyre for a while if he is settled and going nicely you could try him in vehicle.

We usually put them in the shafts and get a person each side to hold shafts in tugs but don't do breeching or traces up first couple of times just in case you have to get them out quick and see how they react.

Be prepared to take it very slowely.

When we start on the roads we alwasy have a lunge line attached so that if anything go's wrong you have a second person that can also hold them.

Once going they really need to be worked everyday to keep them for the first 6 to 12 months.
 
thanks gypsycob. i will have someone by his head at all times until he is happy with me sat in the trap and listening to me before i let him loose so to speak! just a thought i have been lent the harness and there are 2 parts missing. where would be the best place to get replacements? do u think a catalogue might do spares? not sure where harness was bought.
 
Make sure your pony is very responsive to voice commands before asking her to pull anything, including backing up. I agree, two weeks really si not enough Also, have you driven before? If not I would highly recommend getting a few lessons.
Which parts of the hatness are missing and is it leather or synthetic?
You might like to check out the British Driving Society website and also join Carriage Driving forum board, where there are plenty of helpful and knowledgeable driving people who can help with any questions or problems you may have.

Cariage Driving Forum
BDS


PS. I like Rapunzel!!
 
[ QUOTE ]
Renenet - The Egyptian personification of Fortune.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sounds like something for a bad tummy. Quite apt after riding an arab, especially if any sitting trot involved. . .
 
Depedning on whats is missing. Try looking on ebay, they have a driving section. You could also try Tedman, they do synthetic harness or look on the Carriage Driving magazine web site they have ads on there.

Good luck and let us know how you are getting on.

I agree with donkeymad it may be worth getting some lessons, just becareful where you go as there are some cowboys out there.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top