breaking to harness

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horsey mad matt

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i have decided to have a go at breaking my horse to harness, i have a friend who has done this before and she has a harness that i can borrow. so do you have any tips or knowledge to help me? also when it comes to the stage of getting a small training/ exercise trap where would you suggest getting a reasonably priced good second hand one form? :D
 
:)I had my pony broken to drive and never looked back! Its great fun.

I know a lot of forum members slate the website, put it may be worth looking on Dragon Driving as they seem to have a fair number vehicles for sale at any one time.

Be sure to take someone who knows a bit about driving with you when you buy a cart as it is important that the vehicle fits the horse well and that it is well balanced. You don't want a novice driving pony to be put off its work from bad fitting equipment.

Good luck and have fun!
 
maisie2011 said:
:)I had my pony broken to drive and never looked back! Its great fun.

I know a lot of forum members slate the website, put it may be worth looking on Dragon Driving as they seem to have a fair number vehicles for sale at any one time.

Be sure to take someone who knows a bit about driving with you when you buy a cart as it is important that the vehicle fits the horse well and that it is well balanced. You don't want a novice driving pony to be put off its work from bad fitting equipment.

Good luck and have fun!
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thankyou very much for reply, i have had a look at dragon driving and they seem quite resonably priced.
 
Get a harness that fits and learn how to adjust one part to make another part fit
Lots and lots of bombproofing
Lots of longreining in all situations
2 wheeler for first breaking in
Be firm, fair and consistent.driving pomies need to be confident when faced ith things are they are the ones up front
Dont be afraid to go back a step if your horse gets confused or finds it hard
Look locally for a cart but make sure its well put together and 'roadworthy'

Good luck and enjoy, i am breaking in my second one at the moment and loving it :)
 
Toffee_monster said:
Get a harness that fits and learn how to adjust one part to make another part fit
Lots and lots of bombproofing
Lots of longreining in all situations
2 wheeler for first breaking in
Be firm, fair and consistent.driving pomies need to be confident when faced ith things are they are the ones up front
Dont be afraid to go back a step if your horse gets confused or finds it hard
Look locally for a cart but make sure its well put together and 'roadworthy'

Good luck and enjoy, i am breaking in my second one at the moment and loving it :)
Click to expand...

thanks very much for advice!! he already long reins which is helpful, so i can just continue with that!!
 
I personally am sending mine to a pro- it's for competition use, and I want him right. He'll long rein happily in all situations, is broken to ride and hacks out alone and in company. But, having driven for five years, had my own HDT pony for a year and witnessed some awful accidents, I don't consider myself experienced or quick enough to deal with an issue should one arise.

I know you have a friend to help who has broken one- I'd take a good long look at hers and decide if that's how you want yours to go. If it is, fine- but just be aware that they won't all be the same to start. If it isn't, look for someone else. Which area are you in?

Lastly- balancing vehicles can be a fine art- take someone very experienced with you to view, and with a two wheeler, there should be a winding mechanism on the back to balance the carriage. If there isn't, it's likely that you will have a lot of weight sat on your ponies back/smacking him under the belly with the over girth so not comfortable for him.

Last question- do you know how to drive?

Best of luck
 
Good luck :) We've only been driving about 8 years but have done a fair bit as dad competes a 4-in-hand and I've competed abroad but we still use a pro for the final steps, and even then it doesn't always end perfectly.
The next steps IMO would be long reining (and as much as poss) in blinkers, then with collar and then breeching, then with something like a type behind, followed by practising shafts.
 
Get hold of a book called Breaking a horse to harness by Sallie Walrond, it's a definitive, step-by-step guide. Do hours and hours of longreining, then start dragging things behind you, don't attach to the horse until he is completely familiar with the noises. Let him see what is making the noise first. I start with a chain, bits of wood, then a tyre and a pallet. Take your time and buy the best harness and vehicle you can afford, the fit of both is crucial to the job. Second hand but looked after is ideal, I have Zilco harness and a Hillam two-wheeler. Good luck and have fun. :)
 
thanks for replies have already started long reinging and he has been brilliant and really listeing to aids and commands. hopefully harness will come tomo (borrowing from friend) and will start with tyre and move on from that. will a 2 wheeler exercise trap thats quite light weight do for my 15.3hh cob to start off with.
 
I would like Nell broken to harness, perhaps next year. I am backing her myself but not sure I fancy breaking to harness as I have no experience whatsoever, I do have backing experience though, good luck with yours :)
 
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