Breaking to drive a mature pony?

OldNag

OldNag

Wasting my time successfully....
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Mmm advice please on my thoughts.

We recently bought a fantastic 15 yr old (doesn't look her age) Welsh Sec A for the kiddies. She's perfect, really gentle with them and has a lovely manner.

I would dread to part with her when they have finally outgrown her (2/3 yrs?) and she clearly enjoys doing something so I'm wondering about driving ...

I will try to find out about whether she's ever driven but my question is... if she hasn't done it before, is it too late to break her to drive? I'd only wanting to be using a light cart/trap nothing heavy.

I have started lungeing her (primarily to get a bit of weight off - she'd not done much for a while before we bought her) when the kids are at school, and I'm considering long reining her for a bit of variety, and good exercise for both of us. So if she was used to doing plenty of longreining anyway how feasible is it to start driving her over the next couple of years?

My driving experience is limited so I'd have to do a lot of learning myself first.

If it's a crazy idea please tell me. I'm not offended!
 
Disclaimer: I haven't a clue about driving. But it's so lovely that you are already thinking about what's best for your mare, and thinking realistically about the future- what a responsible owner!

If I were you, I would give the long reining a go and swot up on driving. If she's very sane and level headed she might take to it well! Sounds like it would definitely be worth a shot. And if she's already a loved member of the family, what a nice way to be sure she can still work once she's outgrown.
 
Our little companion shettie was at least 15 and had never had a saddle on his back or bit in his mouth when we taught him to drive.

I 'impulse bought' a little cart second hand, read a book then set to it!

He loves getting out and about and has been used for kiddies birthdays etc, great fun for all!
 
I have a teenager (about 15 yr old) ISH that my son and his friend broke to harness when they had some spare time, he took to it really well. Unfortunately, I do not have a sulky and harness myself yet, but yes, suprisingly in less than two weeks he was pulling a cart quite happily.
 
Thank you so much for your encouraging replies. I shall do some mugging up and get myself some books/videos so I know where I'm heading.

Meanwhile I shall get going with some long reining. I thought that doing that anyway when the kids can't be there, means we both get exercise and a change of scenery from the lunge pit. Once we get the hang of it (and no doubt she's done it in the past anyway) We have miles and miles of bridleways so we can go explore!!

If that all goes well we can then move up to driving...

Will keep you posted. Cheers.
 
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