Driving - essential reading.

[PapaverFollis]

You know when slightly mad things happen and you just accept fate and roll with it?

We've just been given a cart by our neighbour.

So I guess I'm starting a driving journey now!

It is definitely something I've always wanted to do and I have worked for a lady that did competitive driving, a long time ago in a land far away, so this isn't quite as random as it might be.

But I am a total driving novice. I remember nothing from when I had the job apart from enjoying it. I need to start from a very basic kind of place...

Where do I start? Resource books wise mostly. I have a friend up here who drives her horse so I'll start with seeing if she can take me out and show me some basics too.

Oh. And I don't have a suitable pony yet so don't worry I'm not going anywhere in a hurry. I've put the cart before the horse but I'm not going to be running before I can walk!

TL,DR
Good basic books about driving for complete beginner, recommendations please? Thank you!

 

[scruffyponies]

I started, like most people with 'breaking a horse to harness' by Sally Walrond. There are some great driving books, but often quite technical. You need the basics, and starting from what the horse needs to know is not a bad idea.
Really strongly advise contacting a local driving group and getting out in person with an experienced driver.

Where abouts are you OP. Like most drivers, I'm always happy to take anyone who shows the slightest interest

 

[Dexter]

What sort of cart? I hate to say it, but theres an awful lot of garbage hanging about in peoples barns that gets sold or passed on, and its really not suitable to use.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I started, like most people with 'breaking a horse to harness' by Sally Walrond. There are some great driving books, but often quite technical. You need the basics, and starting from what the horse needs to know is not a bad idea.
Really strongly advise contacting a local driving group and getting out in person with an experienced driver.

Where abouts are you OP. Like most drivers, I'm always happy to take anyone who shows the slightest interest

Thank you. I'll get that book.

I'm going to get in touch with my friend who has been driving her Clydesdale for some practical input and, as she's quite new to it too, see if she has had anyone mentor her that I can tap into too. I'm not sure there will be a driving group... but I will investigate. We're in the Far North of Scotland so it is less likely there will be anything local simply because there's less people. I believe there's a place that does "learn to drive" courses down in Aviemore which is still a long way off but doable.

I'm not in a rush so can investigate.

 

[Glitter's fun]

I'm in a similar situation - wanting to learn but not in a rush (going to retire soon wheee). I've been starting to look at driving ponies but found myself in shark infested waters, so stepped back for now for a think.
I decided I need more contacts first. I'm south of you (Oban area). I'll have a better look through what I have when I get home, its market day & I'm meant to be outside working right now. Found these for now

This is your nearest I think https://www.carrbridgecarriagedriving.co.uk/

http://scda.co.uk/instructors/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/189060257888000/buy_sell_discussion

 

[PapaverFollis]

What sort of cart? I hate to say it, but theres an awful lot of garbage hanging about in peoples barns that gets sold or passed on, and its really not suitable to use.

Well yes, of course. The cart will be thoroughly checked out. To be honest it's just a nudge to do something I want to do anyway and the plan is to completely check over and refurbish the cart and ensure it is safe to use before even thinking about the next steps. If it isn't safe or not suitable for everyday use I will still be going down this road, just getting another cart as well into the bargain. I want to get my driving knowledge up to speed alongside worrying about the cart though. Which is why I'm asking for books to read.

I appreciate the concern but, I hope, I don't generally come across as someone who will rush into something without care and consideration. Although "I have a cart, now I'm going to drive" is quite out there as a statement I concede! On first inspection I have no reason to think the cart is unsound in any way. I guess it being suitable might be a different story in the longer run. While I'm very excited about the cart though it is more as a catalyst to taking a new step as an equestrian rather than being really tied up in desperately wanting to drive *this* cart. It will be nice if we can as the neighbour who has given it to us would really like to see it used but if we go back to him and say "it's not safe/suitable" he'll definitely understand and in the mean time it'll be polished up and reupholstered etc. Because even if it isn't driving safe I'd like to do that anyway.

 

[PapaverFollis]

I'm in a similar situation - wanting to learn but not in a rush (going to retire soon wheee). I've been starting to look at driving ponies but found myself in shark infested waters, so stepped back for now for a think.
I decided I need more contacts first. I'm south of you (Oban area). I'll have a better look through what I have when I get home, its market day & I'm meant to be outside working right now. Found these for now

This is your nearest I think https://www.carrbridgecarriagedriving.co.uk/

http://scda.co.uk/instructors/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/189060257888000/buy_sell_discussion

Awesome. Thank you! It is the Carrbridge place I was thinking of.

A pony is a whole new shark pond for definite. But I'm not going to rush so we'll see what happens. We were already thinking about driving ponies a while before this cart appeared on the radar because my current little companion pony isn't getting any younger and it would be nice to have a duel purpose companion to slot in.

I'm trying not to worry about that part too much yet though. ?

 

[scruffyponies]

On carts; just because something is not a known make doesn't make it bad. My best 'beginner' cart is a gypsy built thing on motorbike wheels. It's well made, well balanced, and nicely proportioned with a strong swingletree. The guy who made it clearly knew what he was doing.
Equally important is harness fit. You can do a great deal of damage with a strap a few holes too long, or sitting in the wrong place, and a cheap one that fits (pony and vehicle) will serve you better than a new one that doesn't. This is where you really need an experienced friend, as it takes a while to understand what everything does and 'get your eye in'.

 

[rabatsa]

Driving a Harness Horse by Sallie Walrond is a good first book.

 

[Glitter's fun]

On carts; just because something is not a known make doesn't make it bad. My best 'beginner' cart is a gypsy built thing on motorbike wheels. It's well made, well balanced, and nicely proportioned with a strong swingletree. The guy who made it clearly knew what he was doing.
Equally important is harness fit. You can do a great deal of damage with a strap a few holes too long, or sitting in the wrong place, and a cheap one that fits (pony and vehicle) will serve you better than a new one that doesn't. This is where you really need an experienced friend, as it takes a while to understand what everything does and 'get your eye in'.

I was told that a two wheeled cart is harder to turn over therefore safer. Is that true?

 

[angel7]

Second the Walrond books as a starting point.
Trawl Barry hook on youtube for all things driving.
Consider subsriptions to driving magazines that list shows, training, and gear for sale.
There will be driving folk around you you dont know about but they are usually very helpful.

 

[Glitter's fun]

Thats the lambs all delivered to the mart. I'm just home & so hot! I'm just sitting down trying to cool off before unpacking the shopping. My lovely OH brought a cuppa for me. Lovely thought but would probably be the final straw regards spontaneous combustion.

Sallie Walrond turns out to be a very prolific author

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/servlet/...sortby=17&cm_sp=pan-_-srp-_-loc&rgn=er&cty=uk

 

[Borderreiver]

Carriage driving is great fun. If you can get some lessons and good advice in person it will go a long way. I drove my homebred Highland until recently and now as he has sadly passed on have a wonderful experienced Fell pony. My carriage suits our kind of driving which is off road hacking so I have a Bennington Overlander which has four wheels and pneumatic tyres. I used to hack as a rider so now do driving hacking.

 

[rabatsa]

I was told that a two wheeled cart is harder to turn over therefore safer. Is that true?

Yes a two wheel carriage will turn round with the horse where a four wheeled one can jackknife and overturn. For this reason a lot of people like to start horses driving in a two wheel vehicle.

The drawback with a two wheeler is having to balance it all the time, whereas a four wheeler does not need the weight adjusting all the time.

 

[scruffyponies]

I was told that a two wheeled cart is harder to turn over therefore safer. Is that true?

Very much so. Four wheelers go over relatively easily if you go down a slope and turn at the same time.
Two wheelers are much more forgiving, but you must pay attention to the balance of the cart, which should be such that the shaft 'floats' in the tug. You know it's right when the buckle tongue 'chatters' on the tugs as you go along. You can adjust the balance on some vehicles by sliding the seat, but not all. If not raise or lower the tugs on the belly band.

 

[Glitter's fun]

This is the other one I forgot. Not sure if they're still doing lessons but worth contacting them. I think they drive their highland ponies.

Cairngorms Carriage Driving | Highland Horse Fun Pony Trekking

 

[ester]

Re 2 wheel/4 wheel the old trials driving videos when they were all using 2 wheelers they seem to spend as much time righting the carriage as they do driving the obstacles ? So I'm not that convinced.

 

[rabatsa]

Re 2 wheel/4 wheel the old trials driving videos when they were all using 2 wheelers they seem to spend as much time righting the carriage as they do driving the obstacles ? So I'm not that convinced.

In the old videos they were not driving custom made vehicles though and were driving old wooden carriages which fell to bits when they hit trees.

 

[Borderreiver]

When my five year old pony went to be started driving they used a four wheeler from the start. I always used one ever after with him and no problems.