Driving 101

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asbocob

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Hi all!
I have a lovely little 13.2/3 trad cob and I've been told that I should break him to drive as he is a real tank of a pony. Thing is I have no idea where to start. I'd obviously need help doing this, are there people for this type of thing that can come out to your yard and help break a pony to drive? What harness and cart should I be looking at and how much should I budget to spend? My uncle is very big on driving and I've driven his horses before but it was with their close supervision and really enjoyed it. Just basically tell me everything I need to know :D
 
I keep looking into this and the advice I've been given is to send them away to someone who does it for a living and they should be able to advise you on what you need, but I'm sure there are other ways to do it, so I'll be reading the replies with interest :)
 
Contact with British driving society they are super helpful and will point you to your nearest point of reference in your area.

Get your horse long lining everywhere and doing everything in long lines - everywhere and past everything on roads, schooling figures in field and arena, backing up straight, standing still until told otherwise, etc. I got just a cheap starter set to start with for messing around groundwork stuff (Not for use with a cart as they are not safe nor suitable imo just like cheap tack) however when you're unsure if you're going to pursue it it is the economic option, to me anyway. I got him harnessed up and long lining in it, getting used to all the extra kit like crupper, breaching, breast collar etc. I got him dragging a tyre first - though I dragged it myself behind him not attached first leading him so he got used to the dragging noise. I then put him to a tyre and did the same leading and long reining schooling with a tyre and then a pallet. I used blue piping for something solid to replicate the shafts stood around in and got him used to turning round with something solid down his sides and them moving about a bit.

Before I got him in a trap finally as a five year old last year when I could afford one, he was doing the chain harrowing inhand harnessed up in the arena once a week.

Looking back putting him in a trap the first few times I now cringe at as it couldn't have been more wrong and awful lol 😂. But thank god he's a good un and isn't bothered with what I do to him. If it had been another horse probably wouldn't have been the same outcome!!!!

So yes, after seeing my own silly mistakes, and realising how much I don't know after my first driving competition yesterday (see equifest post! :D ). I would advise to save any mistakes and accidents, definitely find someone to help even if it's just a few sessions, as there really is so much to learn and it isn't a case of 'what's the best harness' as there's so many different factors that can affect what you need - just like with tack fitting on riding tack.

Most of, have fun! I literally know nothing and only giving you my experience of being a novice first time diy driver! I've just joined the BDS and realising how helpful the driving community are.
 
Sparkles said:
Contact with British driving society they are super helpful and will point you to your nearest point of reference in your area.

Get your horse long lining everywhere and doing everything in long lines - everywhere and past everything on roads, schooling figures in field and arena, backing up straight, standing still until told otherwise, etc. I got just a cheap starter set to start with for messing around groundwork stuff (Not for use with a cart as they are not safe nor suitable imo just like cheap tack) however when you're unsure if you're going to pursue it it is the economic option, to me anyway. I got him harnessed up and long lining in it, getting used to all the extra kit like crupper, breaching, breast collar etc. I got him dragging a tyre first - though I dragged it myself behind him not attached first leading him so he got used to the dragging noise. I then put him to a tyre and did the same leading and long reining schooling with a tyre and then a pallet. I used blue piping for something solid to replicate the shafts stood around in and got him used to turning round with something solid down his sides and them moving about a bit.

Before I got him in a trap finally as a five year old last year when I could afford one, he was doing the chain harrowing inhand harnessed up in the arena once a week.

Looking back putting him in a trap the first few times I now cringe at as it couldn't have been more wrong and awful lol ��. But thank god he's a good un and isn't bothered with what I do to him. If it had been another horse probably wouldn't have been the same outcome!!!!

So yes, after seeing my own silly mistakes, and realising how much I don't know after my first driving competition yesterday (see equifest post! :D ). I would advise to save any mistakes and accidents, definitely find someone to help even if it's just a few sessions, as there really is so much to learn and it isn't a case of 'what's the best harness' as there's so many different factors that can affect what you need - just like with tack fitting on riding tack.

Most of, have fun! I literally know nothing and only giving you my experience of being a novice first time diy driver! I've just joined the BDS and realising how helpful the driving community are.
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He loves long lining, very responsive to voice. I'm pretty sure he's been driven before but I think it's best to treat him like he never has just incase. Where can I get stuff for groundwork? Thanks! Congrats on Equifest btw :)
 
As above really,but you can talk to your pony all the time,as when he is driving that will be your aid.even bringing in from field etc.And stand,and make him stand,walk on.trot.get left,come right,just stick to the same words all the time and make him do them,especially the,And stand.Good luck,I hope you have fun driving as it is fab and most ponies love it.
 
Sparkles said:
Contact with British driving society they are super helpful and will point you to your nearest point of reference in your area.

Get your horse long lining everywhere and doing everything in long lines - everywhere and past everything on roads, schooling figures in field and arena, backing up straight, standing still until told otherwise, etc. I got just a cheap starter set to start with for messing around groundwork stuff (Not for use with a cart as they are not safe nor suitable imo just like cheap tack) however when you're unsure if you're going to pursue it it is the economic option, to me anyway. I got him harnessed up and long lining in it, getting used to all the extra kit like crupper, breaching, breast collar etc. I got him dragging a tyre first - though I dragged it myself behind him not attached first leading him so he got used to the dragging noise. I then put him to a tyre and did the same leading and long reining schooling with a tyre and then a pallet. I used blue piping for something solid to replicate the shafts stood around in and got him used to turning round with something solid down his sides and them moving about a bit.

Before I got him in a trap finally as a five year old last year when I could afford one, he was doing the chain harrowing inhand harnessed up in the arena once a week.

Looking back putting him in a trap the first few times I now cringe at as it couldn't have been more wrong and awful lol ��. But thank god he's a good un and isn't bothered with what I do to him. If it had been another horse probably wouldn't have been the same outcome!!!!

So yes, after seeing my own silly mistakes, and realising how much I don't know after my first driving competition yesterday (see equifest post! :D ). I would advise to save any mistakes and accidents, definitely find someone to help even if it's just a few sessions, as there really is so much to learn and it isn't a case of 'what's the best harness' as there's so many different factors that can affect what you need - just like with tack fitting on riding tack.

Most of, have fun! I literally know nothing and only giving you my experience of being a novice first time diy driver! I've just joined the BDS and realising how helpful the driving community are.
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This is all very good advice. When things go wrong in harness, they can REALLY go wrong, so make sure you have some experienced help.
 
ester said:
It is certainly best to have pro help, things can go wrong very quickly where abouts are you?
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I'm in the West Mids. I definitely won't be doing anything with a cart/pulling something unless I have an experienced person with me as even though he's so quiet, things can go wrong.
 
Hi, I have done this with a riding pony. As I had no experience I bought a book on ebay called "Driving a harness horse by Sally walrond". Although you can only really learn by doing, this book gave me the knowledge to know what I was doing, and was a really useful asset. I ended up with a very good driving pony and no horror stories. For the first day of putting the pony to the gig I enlisted some quiet, patient helpers to assist with the shafts and walk alongside the pony, to assist with turning (which is a learned skill in shafts). So when turning, the helpers pulled or pushed the shafts to assist the pony. It didn't take the pony long to figure out what was required of her and then it's just a matter of practicing. I would encourage you to get into driving as I do think most ponies love getting out and about.
 
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