Any thoughts on training my English riding horse to drive?

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*MissEquestrian*

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Hi everyone!

I'm a newbie around here (as you probably can tell ;)), and I am looking forward to hearing your opinions and suggestions! I am wondering if you all have any tips on teaching a riding horse to drive? I have bought a couple books, read countless articles, watched basically every YouTube video there is out there on the subject (there are not many at all! Hint hint to all you trainers... ;)), but was just wanting to get more opinions on the topic! She is 15 years old, and is in superb shape (I still have yet to convince my farrier that she is 15 as he still thinks she's more like 7 or 8 XD). We ride around 25 miles a week in the mountains, and before I got her, she was riding around 16 miles a day, 5 days a week. All that to say, she is all muscle and energy! She is pretty well behaved, and does not spoke easily, but she is very fast moving. So far, I have been working with her on accepting the harness. She's doing well with the breeching and crupper. I have yet to put the blinkers on (still not sure if I want to use those? I have heard mixed opinions on driving a horse in blinkers, and would also appreciate thoughts on that as well!). What is making her nervous right now is when I start to get behind her a little bit (still off to the the side as you're supposed to when ground driving), but when switching directions and I cross behind her, she starts dancing around trying to see me. I gently straiten her out with the reins, but she just doesn't settle down and turn smoothly. Any thoughts on how to get her more confortable with taking directions from me from voice and aids only? Of course, if I do end up using blinkers, she'll have to get used to not seeing me at all! Any help is appreciated! Looking forward to hearing from you all!
 
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Skib

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During my normal UK riding lessons at my request, I learned to long line in a school, going large and turning half way down the long side of the school. Many trainers prefer long lining to lunging on a single line in a circle. As soon as you ask for a turn, you are no longer directly behind the horse. You need to use a roller or a saddle with stirrups to thread the lines through.
I used the book by Sylvia Stanier, The art of long reining. I had her book on Lunging too.
But there is also an excellent video of Richard Maxwell using long ropes in an indoor school.

I should add that I started to ride when I retired age 60, so I was neither young nor particularly fit. But I did set myself to learn skills which in fact I have neverr used since. As I have not yet bought a horse.
 
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planete

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Have a look at Barry Hook's videos on YouTube. You will really need a professional at some stage. I used to drive and it scares me a lot more than riding! Sally Walrond's book is good. To get to the point where you are driving, the horse needs to be unflappable and very obedient to the voice . That means a lot of desensitisation and endless repetition. An extra pair of hands will also be a must as you progress.

A professional like Barry Hook will also tell you whether your horse will make a safe driving horse for a beginner. Not all horses are.
 
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planete said:
Have a look at Barry Hook's videos on YouTube. You will really need a professional at some stage. I used to drive and it scares me a lot more than riding! Sally Walrond's book is good. To get to the point where you are driving, the horse needs to be unflappable and very obedient to the voice . That means a lot of desensitisation and endless repetition. An extra pair of hands will also be a must as you progress.

A professional like Barry Hook will also tell you whether your horse will make a safe driving horse for a beginner. Not all horses are.
Click to expand...

I love Barry Hooks YouTube videos! I have watched a great many of them, and greatly appreciate his knowledge. Sally Waldrons book is super, and I have enjoyed learning from her as well.

My mare is very responsive to voice, and stops instantly when I ask her to Whoa. She stands by herself very well (she does this a lot ground tied when I’m working on the trail etc.) Even when she’s a bit nervous, and starts to get a bit worked up, I just ask her to halt, and she does, and then settles down.

I also thought I should mention that I’m not a complete beginner at driving. I did loan a Hackney driving pony for a while, and was taught to drive. I have about 30-40 hours of horse driving under my belt.
 
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*MissEquestrian*

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Skib said:
During my normal UK riding lessons at my request, I learned to long line in a school, going large and turning half way down the long side of the school. Many trainers prefer long lining to lunging on a single line in a circle. As soon as you ask for a turn, you are no longer directly behind the horse. You need to use a roller or a saddle with stirrups to thread the lines through.
I used the book by Sylvia Stanier, The art of long reining. I had her book on Lunging too.
But there is also an excellent video of Richard Maxwell using long ropes in an indoor school.

I should add that I started to ride when I retired age 60, so I was neither young nor particularly fit. But I did set myself to learn skills which in fact I have neverr used since. As I have not yet bought a horse.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for your suggestions! I’ll have to take a look at the book and video! I do lunge her with her driving saddle, and she does well with that.

Good for you for getting into horses later in life! I am always so inspired when I come across people that start new hobbies when they are older.
 
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Orangehorse

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Follow what the books say. Get them used to all the harness and they are 100% happy in it before you introduce anything to pull. Must be obedient to aids and quiet, no spooking on the road. No shortcuts with the training.
 
Auslander

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*MissEquestrian* said:
Does anyone have any thoughts on using or not using blinders?
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I'm also interested in answers to this question. We are breaking Ivan the Terrible to drive at the moment - and he has taken to it like a duck to water - except for when he wears blinkers - he is really bothered by the cart behind him when he can't see it, but absolutely fine with it when he just has a headcollar on
 
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