Driving bitless

[ester]

For me half halting a driving horse just off your breath and sitting deep (breathing in, push feet down) is just the best feeling of that bond
And each of my ponies has a voice 'activated' party piece, which they love showing off and gives a me similar glow. Pip loves extended trot and will do that from any dodgy no impulsion over bent trot you can ruin, tell him to extend and down goes his back end and out come his feet. Contrast loves his flying changes- we can do 4 times straight He occasionally misses behind but still, pretty cool party trick Dads old ponies stopped dead from a full gallop off of a voice command of a 'brrrrr'.

And Bobby can read the letters on the obstacles

 

[pennyturner]

Np but reconsider. I find driving makes the bond between you that much stronger. The horse HAS to listen and work with you or it ends in tears and I really think they realise that. It makes them much more confident too cause they're not relying on your body only your voice and sometimes mouth (I try to use the reins as little as possible)

I completely agree with this, except for the bit about the horse realising what might go wrong. Mine seem to think they're invincible in harness. They get all 'move over with your 40 tonne truck, I'm coming through'. I don't think they've got a clue.

 

[lakesidedreamer]

Not in a million years. My idiotic pony thinks he's the dogs cahoonas when he's hitched - I wouldn't drive him bitless anymore than I'd drive him in an open bridle. I ride my mare bitless, but she has a brain between her ears, where as he stores his a slightly different location.

 

[abes mum]

I worked really hard on the halt training for my boy in the carriage and when I had a lesson I wasn't allowed to say whoa as his brakes were too good. He will come to dead halt just off my voice, handy when your brakes are better then the cars