Breaking to drive - recommendations needed pref Surrey / Hants

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suzi

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Hi,

Have decided that I will break my Dartmoor Hill Pony to drive as well as ride as that is what his old owner (the person I inhertited him from) was planning on doing.

He's very strong and I'm not sure he'll be a childs pony - he's a very cheeky 2 1/2 yr old!! So this might also give him an alternative 'career'.

Can anyone recommend someone who could do this? I've not driven before so I guess it would be good for me to get some 'lessons' or practise beforehand and then I'd really like to be involved in the process too.

So - is there anywhere I can get lessons preferably local to Guildford / Haslemere area of Surrey or anyone who might let me come out with them to get a feel for it?

And, can anyone recommend someone to help break him in?

Is 3 too young to break to harness?

He'll be 3 in Spring so was thinking I'd have the winter to learn a few things myself!!
 
i dont really know who to recommend but i would say that with the ones we have broken at the yard they really do seem to make better driving ponies if they have been broken to ride first.

Obviously waiting till he is old enough to ride first

:)
 
Hello, I do not know of anyone in your area but the British Driving Society website has a list of instructors.

I don't usually start breaking a horse to harness until 3 1/2- 4yo's but there is plenty you can do before then.

2-3 years - Start to teach him voice commands, walk, stand etc moving up to trot when you feel comfortable to - you can use your own words and get him responding to you with as little pressure from the headcollar. Even walking to and from field - add in the odd transition with voice.

This can all be done in hand, then get him used to long lines/lunge lines over his body, rubbing his sides over his back etc. You can then move to long reining but start off just off the headcollar and someone leading so he is just getting used to voice commands behind him (dont stand directly behind in case he spooks), no pressure on the reins.

3 years plus Then work to putting basic harness on - as you would if you were starting to back a horse. Start with a roller and then repeat the in hand transitions and then move up to long reining again. Add a bit more harness and repeat.

I dont like to bit a horse/pony until the earliest 3 1/2 yrs old. Even then just use a soft rubber mouth bit not a driving bit.

Once the bridle/blinkers are on repeat everything again.

Its then just building up the partnership - transitions in full harness - lots of voice commands until he is fully comfortable and in control!!

I would suggest getting someone in to help you put him to a trap/cart. The bit in between where he starts to pull light items tyres etc i think you should have someone experienced with you.

Just to note - not every pony/horse takes to driving. Things to look out for - if in longreining a horse is enjoying marching forward and eager to its a good sign. Spinning and rearing are bad signs!! But i'm sure that is obvious!









http://www.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk/
 
I personally find that breaking a horse to ride first the horse is taught to work off the leg and does not learn any driving skills.

If a horse is broken to drive first the horse learns the transitions and voice commands/aids which can then be used to teach the horse the ridden aids and as they will understand the voice commands. The horse is usually then softer in the mouth and more responsive to the leg.
 
Last edited:
KelleWDHC said:
i was just saying what we have found at our yard :) not meaning that this is the case for all.

:)
Click to expand...

Oh, sorry if I sounded a bit blunt - was just pointing out my personal experience - but agree all horses are individuals :)

I have broken numerous horses to harness after they have started their ridden career and they have turned out well too! :D
 
Pippa Bassett is brilliant. Other names to look out for are Minta Winn and Anna Grayston. Also Sara Howe in Sevenoaks, Kent would probably be my first choice! www.howe-to-drive.co.uk
Have to say that of the ponies I have broken or been involved in breaking, the ones that prove the most reliable, safe and trainable are those which have seen the world under saddle and had a good background of groundwork, hacking, long-lining, done sponsored rides/pony club etc. The accidents I have seen have actually always involved ponies that were fairly green and hadn't seen much of the world, except as driving ponies. They also started out quite flinchy and spooky, and even with lots of desensitizing, some never really lose this flight/fight response. If a pony won't make a good child's pony, they may not make a good driving pony for a novice?
That's just my aside to the debate re driving/riding first... And as has been said, that's just my experiences.
I think you are very sensible to want to get some lessons yourself and learn the ropes before taking over the reins of your newly broken driving pony...
The problem with driving is that when it goes wrong, it can REALLY go wrong!
However driving is great fun and the ponies seem to love it so I don'\t want to discourage you! But as someone has said, definitely get help if you plan on starting the process yourself!

Have fun, and I hope to see you at some driving trials in the future!
www.indoordriving.co.uk
and www.horsedrivingtrials.co.uk both have really fab discussion forums and are a good source of advice - a request for an instructor local to you may yield more results on there.....
ps I think you live near my ex-husband.. urgh.
 
Yes, also try Balanced horse feeds in malden rushet, just find their number and call them and they will help. They have several scurry ponies and also give lessons and I think will take them for breaking too. They have been doing scurry at top level for many years now, so would deff be worth contacting. Very helpful!
 
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