Anyone driving now, instead of riding?

[cblover]

Just interested really to see if some people have made the change to driving rather than riding.

My horse Lulu has logged before, although not pulled a cart as far as I know and I’m considering sending her to be educated as a leisure driving horse.
Any options or experiences would be appreciated, thanks ?

 

[katastrophykat]

Yup! There are a few of us here ?

it took me a couple of years to stop trying to sit on the pony’s back though ? my early competition pics have short reins and me sat on the edge of my seat to feel ‘closer’!

I now drive full time as I’m too heavy to ride at the moment, and have gone to a pair of small ponies as they’re also my daughter’s lead rein/FR and second/WHP ponies.
Points if you can spot the difference…!

 

[PapaverFollis]

I don't want to stop riding but I am so wanting to start driving! It's a "when the time is right, it'll happen" thing at the moment. But I'm definitely heading that way.

 

[Tarragon]

I did put my 16 year old riding pony into harness. It had been something I had always wanted to do, and I finally had the location where I could do it safely. He took to it like a duck to water and there is nothing finer going out on a summery morning. BUT, I struggled to find people who were suitable as grooms and wanted to groom (I had volunteers but you really need an experienced horsey groom, not just a passenger) so I didn't get out as much as I wanted, and you have to think of the traffic on the roads. The other problem is that I had a trailer that could take either the carriage or the pony but not both, and I cannot go to the expense of getting something that would take both! So, all in all, we might go out 5 or 6 times a year, and it is good fun, but not what I had in mind.
I have two ponies, so I was riding one and driving the other - best of both worlds

 

[ester]

I was going to say that's the main issue, you do need someone else with you all the time (so depends if you have a suitable slave )

I've only driven Rara's beasts and it is good fun.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

The pony with the thin blaze has 3 white socks the other pony has 4, is that what you meant by spot the difference?

 

[katastrophykat]

The pony with the thin blaze has 3 white socks the other pony has 4, is that what you meant by spot the difference?

Yup- they’re full brothers- I can tell them apart across the field but no one else on the yard can…! ?

OP, it’s true that it’s hard work, you do need a decent groom (and ideally a rotation of three or four!) and never go out alone, but I love it.

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

They do look so similar I can understand people getting confused ? mine are similar as well but the leg markings are very different, one has a white splodge on front pastern the other has 2 short white socks behind, my 2 are related they have the same grand sire and a few distant relatives much further back.

They are really lovely ponies how big are they?

 

[OrangeAndLemon]

If you're in or near the Midlands I can recommend a very supportive group of people who can help.

 

[Jenko109]

I didn't realise you need someone with you while driving? Is this just to get through the gates etc?

 

[scruffyponies]

I didn't realise you need someone with you while driving? Is this just to get through the gates etc?

You're supposed to have a fit, agile and competent person with you to jump off and go to the pony's head if there is a problem. Sadly there is a real shortage of agile and competent people, so many of us do manage just fine without.
Someone who doesn't know what they're doing as a groom is actually worse than nobody at all.

Without a groom you might have to learn skills such as jumping onto a moving vehicle (having just got him past a scary object), fixing straps with one hand whilst keeping a rein contact with the other, throwing yourself across the carriage to balance it as you head down a banking... etc. etc.

Driving is not always a sedate and gentle alternative to riding!

 

[katastrophykat]

I didn't realise you need someone with you while driving? Is this just to get through the gates etc?

It’s for safety- you use your groom for putting to the carriage, one at head and one to put the carriage on, taking out after the drive, gates, traffic watching and (attempting!!) management of passing cars where needed, if you have your hands full of pony… a second pair of eyes to see spooky things, and to walk slightly ahead of the horse if needed (groom down!) to pass scary/dangerous situations. In my case, to weigh down my four wheel carriage when we’re out ‘playing’ while practicing obstacles so we don’t fall over.

 

[Tarragon]

I don't have fixed shafts on my carriage, so need two people to put to!
I do know people who drive on their own, but they have experienced driving ponies and they are experienced themselves, and even so, one day they might find themselves in a very tight corner but they are just prepared to accept the risk.
As I only have a small pony, I only have a small carriage, and the groom has to be quite slim to fit beside me on the seat and it is quite cosy! We have to be good friends

 

[cblover]

Thanks everyone, it’s something I’ll think about. I’d love to do it but in a safe way. Plus I’d have to go on the roads and that isn’t always the safest thing.

 

[MotherOfChickens]

I wanted to put the Exmoor in harness, his breeder used to drive Exmoors, great pics of him driving xc 4 in hand. But, I dont have a groom-ever really. And tbh, I went on a series of driving lessons and didnt love it, seemed to me that if it did go wrong, it went very wrong and I was too far away from the horses' ears . It was with a very well known Scottish driver who told me in no uncertain terms how danerous it could be for a numpty. I've since moved, we have alot of driving people locally and its nice to see them out and about.

 

[Tarragon]

I wanted to put the Exmoor in harness, his breeder used to drive Exmoors, great pics of him driving xc 4 in hand. But, I dont have a groom-ever really. And tbh, I went on a series of driving lessons and didnt love it, seemed to me that if it did go wrong, it went very wrong and I was too far away from the horses' ears . It was with a very well known Scottish driver who told me in no uncertain terms how danerous it could be for a numpty. I've since moved, we have alot of driving people locally and its nice to see them out and about.

I am not quite sure where Weathertop is relative to me, but we could groom for each other! perfect solution

 

[horsesense]

Have been considering introducing my cob mare to driving and have done preliminary training. Would those of you with more experience advise using a two or four wheeled vehicle?

 

[scruffyponies]

Have been considering introducing my cob mare to driving and have done preliminary training. Would those of you with more experience advise using a two or four wheeled vehicle?

I would always start with two wheels, but get someone experienced to check your balance. Much more difficult to turn a two wheeler over.

 

[ester]

Unless you’re doing trials where all the things of videos seem to mostly consist of grooms righting 2 wheel vehicles ?

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Just interested really to see if some people have made the change to driving rather than riding.

My horse Lulu has logged before, although not pulled a cart as far as I know and I’m considering sending her to be educated as a leisure driving horse.
Any options or experiences would be appreciated, thanks ?

My pony drives, and prefers it, but I am a novice and still need help to go 100% solo

 

[Goldenstar]

I drove when I could not ride due to injury the moment I could ride again I was disinterested in driving and eventually sold all my stuff .

 

[rabatsa]

Have been considering introducing my cob mare to driving and have done preliminary training. Would those of you with more experience advise using a two or four wheeled vehicle?

I always like to start with a two wheeler. If for any reason the pony whips round there is no risk of a jackknife and turnover.