Calling any horse drivers out there?[Cart, not cars!]

Q

QueenDee_

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After recently watching the horse & carriage showing at Burwarton show the other day I was thinking about having a go at it myself...but was wondering how I would go about doing so? How would I start, what starting equipment would I need, and if I were to be interested after perhaps having a few lessons, what sort horse/pony should I be thinking about buying for it? I know someone who drives, they are also a riding instructor, so I was wondering about asking her if she could give me a few lessons, and of course would ask her the same sort questions as above, but just wondering before hand?

Fresh made Pimms for any help!:D
 
I have a little A mare, fancied driving, got her longreining, Grandad surprised me last year for my 18th with a beautiful cart he restored for me. Stuck the pony in it and off I went, must admit the pony is exceptional and wad more than happy to go along with the whole idea! I've never had lessons just watched a lot of YouTube and got on with it. Currently longreining my other A mare with the same plans!
It's brilliant fun and people love to see the pony out and about.. would really recommend it! I *think* you have to pass some sort of competency test for driving on the road but not too sure, I haven't anyway =\
Good luck and enjoy it!
 
I have my little 12hh Welsh pony that I was wondering whether she might be okay for it if I just got a small trap..she'll put up with anything! Such a little star, but she is 20 now..so was wondering if she might be a bit too old..you would'nt be able to tell though! Hehee :D
 
Mynyddcymro said:
I have a little A mare, fancied driving, got her longreining, Grandad surprised me last year for my 18th with a beautiful cart he restored for me. Stuck the pony in it and off I went, must admit the pony is exceptional and wad more than happy to go along with the whole idea! I've never had lessons just watched a lot of YouTube and got on with it. Currently longreining my other A mare with the same plans!
It's brilliant fun and people love to see the pony out and about.. would really recommend it! I *think* you have to pass some sort of competency test for driving on the road but not too sure, I haven't anyway =\
Good luck and enjoy it!
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Be careful breaking your own. I don't want to scare you but there are no small accidents in driving, you have a horse, a carriage, harness, a passenger, yourself and probably involve another vehical so any accident is going to be a big'un. Also driving horses and ponies need to be 100% and its rare for one to come back from an accident well enough for you to be confident out and about. Either get someone experienced to help or send away. I'm glad it went well for the other poster but you get some real horror stories.

Pop along to the BDS website, it has a list of instructors. Have a lesson, you will get addicted :p :D , then think about ponies etc. A 12hh can pull two adults easy in a small vehical. as for being 20 the oldest i've know to be put in harness was an 8yr old but I don't see why something that is good off the voice, is supple and leg yeilds well can't get going.

Driving is ace, good luck to you!
 
Mynyddcymro said:
I have a little A mare, fancied driving, got her longreining, Grandad surprised me last year for my 18th with a beautiful cart he restored for me. Stuck the pony in it and off I went, must admit the pony is exceptional and wad more than happy to go along with the whole idea! I've never had lessons just watched a lot of YouTube and got on with it. Currently longreining my other A mare with the same plans!
It's brilliant fun and people love to see the pony out and about.. would really recommend it! I *think* you have to pass some sort of competency test for driving on the road but not too sure, I haven't anyway =\
Good luck and enjoy it!
Click to expand...

I think you have been exceedingly fortunate not to have had any issues doing that ;) There are soooooo many things that can trouble a pone with driving......... having shafts contacting its sides, hearing / seeing the vehicle behind, feeling the weight of the breeching / vehicle on its rear end when you go downhill etc etc etc

if you dont know how to harness up correctly there are pressure points and dangers . eg ig the traces ar ethe wrong lenght th epone can get legs over and panic ( NOT nice)

if you dont get the balance on a two wheeler correct then you can put undue pressure on the back or the belly

having said that most of it is not rocket science, its commone sense with a lot of knowledge .....

existing / knowledgable drivers giving hints and tips that you dont always get from books are worth their weight in gold.... they can save you from making costly mistakes and give additional safety tips.

beware you tube instructions please ....... believe me there are some awwwwwwful ones out there amongst the good ones and you dont know which ones are which unless you already drive !!!!



driving pones need to be solid in traffic, not nappy in any way and fairly confident . They need to be happy with lines around legs etc so that if the worst happens they dont panic.




Your pone may well be suited to driving elky but maybe your friend will be better able to assess her... providing she is fit enough 20 is not too old.. in fact her life experience may be a bonus .... if she fits all the above criteria go for it. ! Just please please dont be tempted to go any step without asking the instructor.. its little things that can really go wrong ;)

eg... I have see people at the starting to pulll a tyre stage tying it to the pone without a quick release knot. Nothing more guaranteed to put an end to your driving pones willingness than having it get scared and bolt with a tyre chasing it :mad: :mad: :mad:


if you did want to get another pone then I'd buy one already driving if you yourself are novice... whilst it can work novice and novice there are less problems usually if one of the partnership is experienced.


its great fun !!!!!!!
 
tazzle said:
Your pone may well be suited to driving elky but maybe your friend will be better able to assess her... providing she is fit enough 20 is not too old.. in fact her life experience may be a bonus .... if she fits all the above criteria go for it. ! Just please please dont be tempted to go any step without asking the instructor.. its little things that can really go wrong ;)

eg... I have see people at the starting to pulll a tyre stage tying it to the pone without a quick release knot. Nothing more guaranteed to put an end to your driving pones willingness than having it get scared and bolt with a tyre chasing it :mad: :mad: :mad:


if you did want to get another pone then I'd buy one already driving if you yourself are novice... whilst it can work novice and novice there are less problems usually if one of the partnership is experienced.


its great fun !!!!!!!
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Thanks for the comments, I was thinking of maybe long-reining Beena (my little pony) I can't see it being a problem with her, you can run up behind her in the field and leapfrog onto her bum and she will just carry on eating!...not that I do that or anything :rolleyes: but yes, I will see about having a few lessons or something, any quick fire basic tips you can give me now? ;)
 
of course you dont do anything so dangerous :rolleyes: ...... like I dont stand behind my ickle darling and rest my head on her btm;)

ok .... some things you could do

long line her though all sorts "scary" stuff like over tarpaulins, over wood boards , weave though poles / cones, under / through ribbon curtains etc ..... even something as a black sheet / mat can cause some pones an issue :cool: so nothing is too mundane / simple to leave out !

I'd flap the lines around / over her body and round her leg .... circle her with the lines coming down to just above her hocks and when she happy at walk, do trot .



...............

once you can drive there are driving versions of all the ridden disciplines :cool:
 
Hehe :p

Okay, ill start doing some things like that..handy pony but on long reins :D

Once I've got her used to those sort things what would be the next step towards getting her used to the cart?
 
ah now ....... patience :D :D :D
make haste sloooooooowwwwwwwwly, the golden rule with driving .......every step solid before you take the next !!!


the only other thing I will suggest though atm is maybe you long lining while someone else drags summat noisy like a tree branch behind / beside her.

and long lining on the roads .. have you done this before ???


we had a wavy ribbon curtain

laurarescuedpics1134.jpg
 
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errrr yes that one was fiddly .. how about one like this ..... just thick tape from diy place. This one sticky backed and doubled onto itself to make it heavier ..... but you can get the not sticky warning type tape. Just avoid realy thin stuff like the fly curtains.. that just tangles up sooooo easy :rolleyes:


tazcurtain.jpg
 
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