Breaking to drive

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Knockadoon

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Hiya, i'm thinking of breaking my 10hh mare to drive. She's unbroken having just had foals on the side of a mountain for the last 6 years but she's pretty quiet. What are the main differences between breaking to ride and drive? I've broken riding horses before but a lot of the work was done in the saddle, a bit of long lining and lunging. Any tips? I'm in no rush with her, can take it nice and easy.
 
Lots and lots of longreining, and get a professional on board for the rest - driving is fantastic but things can go very bad very quickly if you don't have the experience to deal with it. Get some driving lessons for yourself as well so that you are better prepared for driving her once she is ready - a novice pony is not a good idea for you to learn with, even a small one.

Longrein without and then with blinkers, and get the voice commands really crisp and responsive, including reinback and turning, and teach her to stand still for a good period of time without moving - several minutes. Driving ponies need to know how to be still while in harness for putting to/taking out but also at junctions etc - a little fidget can be a big problem when there is a carriage attached.

Best of luck!!
 
Thanks. I was thinking of doing the groundwork myself but calling in the pro's when it comes to actually harnessing her to anything. I can drive but only have driven very straightforward, well trained ponies. I'm looking forward to it.
 
Fab, well enjoy it :-) The more good quality groundwork you put in the better the driving pony you will end up with. And I find it's great fun longreining out and about, I go for miles with my youngsters and it means I already have a good idea of how they respond to things before it gets more complicated with a carriage in tow. I would suggest planning for several lessons with the people who help you start her once she is driving as well - if you have someone in mind then maybe get in touch and have a chat about any specifics they might like you to do?
 
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