breaking older horses to harness

Capriole

Capriole

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i am thinking about having my 20 year old horse broken to harness as he isnt going to take to retirement at all well should it become uncomfortable for him to carry me under saddle - has anyone any experience of breaking horses this age to drive?
 
Not personally but we have someone at our yard that does. It depends on the horse’s attitude; most horses though are fine I think the oldest has been in their teens.
 
Id go for it, horses do find pulling carriages easier on them, the england team single horse driving trials team have a few over 20's competeing at world level, so they clearly enjoy it. We broke our 14 year old shetty who took really well, but our 14 year old welsh is not taking so well, it takes a while for some to get used to blinkers.

Haz
 
We broke a teenager to harness once - he took to it so fast we thought he must have done it before. So we spoke to his old owners who said they had tried to break him to harness as a 4yo - after he'd bolted across a couple of roads and a few fields, they'd decided it wasn't for him!! Clearly he'd matured a bit since then...
 
Yes, blinkers should be used. Just as with riding there is no difference in the basics if you are breaking for competition or pleasure. If you are unsure how to do it then please get help from an experienced person. Good luck with it.

As for the age, many horses are broken to ride after years of being ridden. If their general manners are good this will make it easier. I know many scurry ponies that are in their twenties or even thirties and are still competing at top level. In fact they seem to thrive on it and it keeps them fit, healthy and happy if they are working.
 
The correct answer is "yes". They are used for safety purposes - I think the theory is that sunlight can catch on the rotating wheels and spook them, but there will be others who know more on that.
We started all - babies and otherwise - without blinkers, then introduced blinkers before we got as far as a breaking cart, but to be honest the old boy we just drove without once it was clear nothing was going to spook him! He seemed happier that way after a lifetime of riding out.
 
Very few horses drive without blinkers but they must be broken with them, imagine being stuck to a large loud bit of metal that keeps chasing you! Once some horses are broken for some competition they can be removed to make them more confident if you think they wont be spooked by the carriage

Haz
 
I have - I did with my pony when she was 22 - she kept jumping the fence and crawling underneath it so in the end rather then tying her legs together I broke her into harness and she was a pleasure...she really enjoys it and she is a right show off..
the horse has to be patient and also steady with the road and traffic...you can get special carriage shoes from the farrier too which help with the road work. My carriage is a 'breaking in carriage' and is really strong and nothing much can snap on it due to them leaning into the sides of the carriage when starting...it also has rubber tyres which help if you go on off road tracks etc..
My pony is 30 now and no longer does it due to her age really but I had at least 5 years with her pulling the carriage.
Best to learn the basics from a local school who teach it and read up about it - long reining is a good one and dragging a tyre to get them used to the noise and pulling something.
I drove her in a happymouth liverpool bit.
www.britshdrivingsociety.co.uk is a good website for driving instructors and driving a harness horse by sallie walrond is brill and the complete know all about driving...picture step by step guides are great in it.
Good luck - you will love it...
 
Go for it. I broke in my 2 New Forest ponies to harness when they were 13 and 14, not old i know but old enough.

You don't have to use blinkers, but i would as if the horse sees the wheels it could scare him and he'll bolt. But i know plenty of people don't use blinkers.
 
Sorry to disagree but - no - horses do NOT have to wear blinkers to drive. I have had five drivers now and only one has used blinkers. If you are breaking to harness simply for pleasure, then it's your choice, just be guided by what your horse seems happiest with
 
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