Driving people- blinkers question!

H

horsemadelsie

Well-Known Member
Joined
3 November 2010
Messages
559
Visit site
I have a Shetland who loves work, so I'm going to drive him (unfortunately riding wise I'd squash him!). I bought a harness years ago, then vet bills stopped me buying a cart! He's been pulling all sorts of things for the last few years (including harrowing the arena) but now I've got a cart and am all set to go!
My question is, does he need blinkers? The noseband on his driving bridle is too small for him so I've mostly used his inhand bridle (although I use the driving bridle without the noseband sometimes). He's not bothered about seeing things behind him, and out on the road he's much happier without blinkers, but if I wanted to compete him at all, would he need them? I know there are certain rules like you need a halter underneath the bridle, but wasn't sure about blinkers!
Thanks! :)
 
They don't all need blinkers but I'd advise you to seek professional help with putting to. I've competed at indoor trials with people whose ponies don't wear them, one lady drives a pair, one with, one without. I think they are compulsory for showing classes though.
 
Generally the opinion is that yes, you should wear blinkers, but like the above I know people who don't use them. For any sort of showing class (and competition???) you would need them.
 
horsemadelsie said:
I have a Shetland who loves work, so I'm going to drive him (unfortunately riding wise I'd squash him!). I bought a harness years ago, then vet bills stopped me buying a cart! He's been pulling all sorts of things for the last few years (including harrowing the arena) but now I've got a cart and am all set to go!
My question is, does he need blinkers? The noseband on his driving bridle is too small for him so I've mostly used his inhand bridle (although I use the driving bridle without the noseband sometimes). He's not bothered about seeing things behind him, and out on the road he's much happier without blinkers, but if I wanted to compete him at all, would he need them? I know there are certain rules like you need a halter underneath the bridle, but wasn't sure about blinkers!
Thanks! :)
Click to expand...
I prefer to use blinkers so they can focus on the road ahead, have you thought about mix and match your bridles or get one made to measure?? My welsh A has had hers made to measure due to her having a tiny head, so use large shetland and pony parts to make it up.
 
My pony really hated being driven in blinkers, he spent all his time trying to twist his head round to see. Without them he was a great driving pony.
 
You dont need blinkers if your pony is happy without. My instructor likes to put ponies too for the first time without them, although she does then prefer to use them. Zilco sell shetland and mini sized blinkers separately so you can mix and match.

Please be very careful putting to. It will make so much difference having a competent person there. I'm very slowly breaking mine to drive and I have been helping my instructor put other peoples horses to for months in preparation. Mine is long reining like a pro, including dragging and upside down metal wheelbarrow over stony paths and rough grass. Shes happy walking with the carriage behind her, having the shafts up and down, and turning into the shafts etc. She hasnt yet pulled the carriage though. I will put her too properly with my instructor and another competent helper. Then I still intend to send her away for a couple of weeks before I do any proper driving with her. Its so easy to get it wrong and ruin them.

You also need someone to check your harness fit before you drive them as it can look right but still not be right.
 
I have broken several ponies in open bridles, and I would even go as far as to say that a well-adjusted pony goes better without. However I've also experienced a run-away in an open bridle, and I'm convinced it contributed.

Reasons for blinkers: Protects eyes from potential whip injury, reduces the opportunity to be startled into a shy*, prevents horse from perceiving the vehicle as 'chasing' him in the event of a runaway.

On balance I would advise strongly that you use blinkers, for safety reasons.

*didn't stop my Welsh D shying at a pile of twigs straight into the side of a parked car... ruddy idiot.
 
In a freak occurrence a blinker saved my donkey from losing his eye. A car threw a chipping up and it zinged against his blinker. It took the leather off and bent the metal plate inside, up until then I would just as happily drive him in an open bridle as well as his blinkers.
 
Thanks everyone, I do have someone experienced locally who has agreed to help, but his experience is all with blinkers so it's nice to get more opinions. He will mostly be driven round fields and indoor driving trials, as his feet aren't up to a lot of roadwork (and he gets a little over excited going out exploring!). X
 
horsemadelsie said:
Thanks everyone, I do have someone experienced locally who has agreed to help, but his experience is all with blinkers so it's nice to get more opinions. He will mostly be driven round fields and indoor driving trials, as his feet aren't up to a lot of roadwork (and he gets a little over excited going out exploring!). X
Click to expand...

The feet might surprise you. They tend to grow to match work if you build them up steadily. Some of the dinky drivers use hoof boots which is another option. Once you start the indoor stuff and realise how fast they go you and how fit people have their ponies, esp the littlies then you might find yourself wanting to do more roadwork. It always starts with a bit of casual driving and then before you know it you will have a pony team :p
 
Leo Walker said:
Once you start the indoor stuff and realise how fast they go you and how fit people have their ponies, esp the littlies then you might find yourself wanting to do more roadwork. It always starts with a bit of casual driving and then before you know it you will have a pony team
Click to expand...
This is what I'm worried about! :p I have no room or money for any more ponies!! Haha! I haven't even started driving yet and already I've gone from "It'll be nice to just have a wander around in a cart" to "Oooo, the local indoor driving trials look FUN, maybe I'll give them a go..."
 
horsemadelsie said:
This is what I'm worried about! :p I have no room or money for any more ponies!! Haha! I haven't even started driving yet and already I've gone from "It'll be nice to just have a wander around in a cart" to "Oooo, the local indoor driving trials look FUN, maybe I'll give them a go..."
Click to expand...

Indoor driving trials are probably the cheapest way to get involved with competitive driving. You can be competitive with a two wheeler and if your pony is under 11hh then your groom does not have to be on the carriage too. No special equipment needed.
 
Goldenstar said:
Driving - a sport that starts with let’s find the outgrown pony a job and endswith a team for four Warmbloods plus two spares .
Click to expand...

My long suffering OH is still stunned at the speed things got out of hand. We were getting a sensible little cobby pony to do the odd drive to the pub and the next thing you know hes playing groom for miles of fittening work in the freezing cold, and gallantly hanging on the back while we gallop over fields and through thick mud at warp speed, I went through 3 carriages and 2 harness and had to buy a car and trailer. And to add insult to injury we only ever drove to the pub once :p
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top