H&H feature on changing discipline, have you?

Borderreiver

Borderreiver

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I read with interest the article in H&H last week about people changing horsey discipline as they get injured, age or lose confidence. It just shows how we adapt but still enjoy our horses. Following the age thread on here, we now know how many of us are getting on a bit too!

I was quite surprised that carriage driving wasn't mentioned in the article. It's my new discovery and is serious fun. My home bred pony is at boarding school being trained at the moment and I can't wait for him to come home as a driving pony.

So have you got plans for a change?
 
I changed, i rode for years but having broken my pelvis years ago my riding was making me hurt. So i had a break to have my child and then got back into horses, specifically Carriage Driving. people often ask if i miss riding and the only thing i miss is the social part of it (big hacks out across country etc)
 
Yes absolutely. My section D mare who I've had since weaning was always destined for the show ring and was successful at County level in hand as a youngster. I started to back her at 4 and then had an accident which left me with a broken back. Whilst I was recovering she went to a local trainer for 4 weeks and was broken to drive as I had no intention of selling her whatever my future prognosis and driving would allow me to still enjoy her to the full. As it was my back healed well with time and my mare did eventually have a successful ridden showing career until she retired at 14 last year. She has now turned her hoof to dressage which she is doing very well at and we are going to Hickstead at the end of May having qualified for the SE unaff. champs. As a result of my decision to have her broken to drive I have a lovely pony who can turn her hoof to anything and we can both grow old discracefully and I have no doubt we'll both still be charging round the village in our carriage for many years to come yet! :)
 
I have dejenerative joint disease and i have changed from cross country jumping / endurance hacker to a western rider with a voice command trained horse as i struggle with balance in the english saddle due to my hip twisting and issues with knee and ankle on left leg which menas i can barely use it in the saddle. Physios don't really want me riding at all but i decided to just change the way i ride to make me more comfortable and safe. When thier comes the time that i cant ride at all i hope to learn to drive so i can have a wee pony and trap to have fun with but if that too isn't an option i will just rescue some poor sole that can not be worked and keep it as a pampered pet out to grass i will never go without one. thankfully pampering one is more important to me than riding as my horse well knows as he only gets lightly ridden by me as my joints cant handle too long in the saddle. but i spend hours making sure hes pretty and has everything he could want.
 
I rode and showjumped prolifically as a teenager/young person. I continued to hack and low level XC, until first child born and continued for a couple of years. I sadly lost my horses. Then I bought a 10hh pony and the children both rode him a little, but he was sharp, so I eventually broke him to drive. I loved it and drove him for 4 or 5 years.
Then my daughter had a larger riding pony and eventually one I could also ride again.
I was gifted my own horse just for hacking, we never really got started both sharing ill health at different times. I Sadly lost her and have now in my older years have just started doing unaffiliated dressage at local venues on daughter's old pony. I am really enjoying myself and we won a 3rd first time out and a first on our second recent outing. I think competitions at whatever level give you a goal to aim for. I am enjoying having lessons - the first since I can remember; that long ago :eek:
I have a super WB slowly being rehabed from injury and who knows I may compete him eventually :)
 
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Driving is really fun and I don't think much more expensive than riding - you can pick up a cheap and cheerful exercise cart for a few hundred quid, which is the same as a saddle. or, you could splash out and spend £2k on something nice...same as a saddle!

It can be very social, as you can take kids and friends with you for a picnic and chat even if they have no experience or horse at all! There's also 'drives' which look fun - clubs taking their rigs out for the day just like a group hack. I've not done this yet but hope to when my daughter's a bit older and can be trusted to sit still on a cart seat!
 
Out of interest, those who took up driving after a back injury do you not find it upsets your back? My friend had a ride and drive and the only time I went in the carriage with her my back was practically spasm-ing after 20 minutes!
 
I did a lot of eventing until my late 20's. Then there was that dreadful year when so many folks were killed including our friend Polly Phillips, so my husband asked me if I would mind sticking to the dressage as we were about to start horse hunting for a youngster to bring on. So that's what we did. I am now totally addicted to my dressage & love it. Get just as much buzz from it.
 
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