Broken to drive.....at 18 months!!!

"scopey jump" :eek: !! She looks older than 18 months, do you think it's a mistake? Otherwise, jumping and driving a yearling? :eek:
 
Owners like want shooting, the loan horse we hve was broken to drive at quite an early age and at 5 is already starting to suffer for the owners impatience. Even so knowing that my girs cousin is riding and jumping her almost three year old, im disgusted!! She might be a good rider but has no idea about youngsters even though she knows exactly why we NEVER back a horse before its 4.
 
Lovely little boy
But I am led to believe breaking to harness is done when they are officially 2 yr olds
Driving is not as stressful on developing joints as riding is. The weight is not carried on the back but distributed around the shoulders and hindend so that the legs aren't carrying the weight.
Which is why I think there broken to harness at such a young age
 
ischa said:
Lovely little boy
But I am led to believe breaking to harness is done when they are officially 2 yr olds
Driving is not as stressful on developing joints as riding is. The weight is not carried on the back but distributed around the shoulders and hindend so that the legs aren't carrying the weight.
Which is why I think there broken to harness at such a young age
Click to expand...

Hmm, then I suggest you watch some of the poor sods that are from my area being driven. They are wormy, hairy, poor looking babies on the whole, and they are HAMMERED at high speed up and down the roads, in poorly balanced carts, dodging in and out of traffic. I'm quite hard faced but I've been moved to tears more than once.
 
Not all horses are broken to drive that young. Driving stresses different part of the body to riding but is still extremely hard work and these poor little things will pay the price of their early start .
 
ischa said:
Lovely little boy
But I am led to believe breaking to harness is done when they are officially 2 yr olds
Driving is not as stressful on developing joints as riding is. The weight is not carried on the back but distributed around the shoulders and hindend so that the legs aren't carrying the weight.
Which is why I think there broken to harness at such a young age
Click to expand...


^^^True^^^. Not all horses are owned by idiots who thrash wormy youngsters down the road. Many of the bigger draught breeds are started young. Just the basics mind. They really aren't suitable for real work until 6 or 7yrs. Unfortunately the seller in the add sounds like the former.
 
Thought, wrongly as it turned out, that this would be a link on the Dragon Driving website. Why do these people have these horses and ponies if they can't do right by them?
 
ischa said:
Lovely little boy
But I am led to believe breaking to harness is done when they are officially 2 yr olds
Driving is not as stressful on developing joints as riding is. The weight is not carried on the back but distributed around the shoulders and hindend so that the legs aren't carrying the weight.
Which is why I think there broken to harness at such a young age
Click to expand...


I agree with the above.

I came from a background where it's not that unusual a practice to start youngsters in long reins at 18 months, ready too hook for the first time as 2yos. Driving in light harness and trap will help develop the musculature and balance they may require for ridden work.
 
The one we have on loan was just 3 when she was trotting, its still too much, too young and could well be the end of a lovely horses career riding or driving, its just not worth it.
 
Blue was ride and drive when I bought her ("But whatever you do missus Don't get on her back!")

Afterpurchase.jpg

Doubt if she was 18mnths
 
Travellers break them into drive as young as 12 - 18 months, was told that at 6 my mare too old, and she's bred to trot, I think because they are easier to handle, but not sure.
 
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