Breaking to harness

[FlashHarry]

We have an 11 yo New Forest who is outgrown - he really cant do another summer with my huge son! (Not fat-just tall). I could never sell him because he is the love of my life. I fancy having a go at competitive driving. Must admit I dont know much about it. Has anyone had such a pony broken to harness and started driving themselves. Tell us your stories!

 

[Nathan-And-Hayke]

I have! Both Nathan and Hayke are broken to drive and ride, and my husband broke them himself!
We do pleasure driving, do show driving classes, and are available for hire for weddings etc. It's great fun, especially for me, as my old bones are up to riding more than 3 or 4 hours a day, but the horses need much more than that at the peak.
Over here there are plenty of books and dvds about how to break to driving, I'm not sure if they are available in the UK or if you want someone else to break him for you.
What ever you do, have fun!

 

[EPRider]

Go get yourself some lessons with a Light Harness Horse Instructor - you can find one near you on the British Driving Society website - That way you can find out if driving is for you before splashing out oodles of pennies on harness and carriage. An LHHI can also advise you on what to get for the pony and about breaking it in to drive. When you fisrst put too I advise that you have very experienced help as so much can go wrong.

Attend several different kinds of driving events to decide what sort of driving you would like to do as different kinds of driving have different methods of such things as rein holding. Carriage/harness/accessories all vary with what you aim to do long term.