Interested in driving but haven't the foggiest where to start.

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SatsumaGirl

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My little Haffy x Paint will be 4 in June. I have come to the conclusion that he is never going to make the height (parents both around 15.1/15.2) and he's just scraping 14.1. I'm 5'7 and a size 16 and whilst I'm trying to lose weight, I'm not sure I'd ever feel comfortable on him, even if I was a heck of a lot lighter.

The original plan was I'd find a small jockey and I'd just enjoy him as a pet/get him out inhand, until someone mentioned I should consider driving him (it'd purely be the equivalent of happy hacking, in driving form, just to plod down the tracks etc.).

I've had horses since I was small but I haven't the first idea about driving- I wouldn't even know how to correctly put a harness on *blush*- I mean I could make an educated guess but not sure how far that would get me. ;)
Said pony is such a quiet little sweetie and will long rein and walk out nicely. I'm not so worried about the groundwork but I'd appreciate some advice as to how to go about getting into it- i.e. are there any decent websites out there ('Driving for Dummies', perhaps)?

I'm thinking the best plan of action is to find someone local who offers breaking to drive, closer to the time (I'm planning to wait until he's at least turned 4 and it'd only be light work) and go from there.

As I said earlier, are there any helpful resources (informative websites, recommended books etc.) that I can look into to give myself a better knowledge?

Thanks. :)
 
Sally Waldron has written a book on the subject.
You can get a really good second hand Zilco or Ideal harness for about £300.
The cheap carriages will rust and may be ok for tarmac but not rough tracks, they all need to be kept under cover.
Join local driving group, they will have lectures at this time of year.
You need to be firm and clear with him, when the harness is on, he is in work mode.
Go to driving events, you can volunteer, observe and ask for advice, there are driving lessons available, but not many. RDA may drive locally.
Search this site
Main problem is you really need an experienced helper if your horse is not experienced and neither are you.
 
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Google " horse driving lessons " there are lots of sites covering all areas .It is most important to have correctly fitting harness and cart ! an educated guess will not work ,it is well worth spending on a few lessons. Once driving you will be surprised at how much ground you will cover in an hour or two .Because you are lower down please wear hi viz when driving .Try it you will be surprised how enjoyable it is . Harness and an exercise cart are not as expensive as you imagine ,and there is room for a friend beside you .
 
Bonkers2 said:
Sally Waldron has written a book on the subject.
You can get a really good second hand Zilco or Ideal harness for about £300.
The cheap carriages will rust and may be ok for tarmac but not rough tracks, they all need to be kept under cover.
Join local driving group, they will have lectures at this time of year.
You need to be firm and clear with him, when the harness is on, he is in work mode.
Go to driving events, you can volunteer, observe and ask for advice, there are driving lessons available, but not many. RDA may drive locally.
Search this site
Main problem is you really need an experienced helper if your horse is not experienced and neither are you.
Click to expand...
I was thinking also plas equestrian harness. See Dragon Drving for all the worse examples of stuff, but there is plenty of information to be gleaned, and some good used stuff once you have sorted out what you need to get.
 
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Where are you OP? there are a few drivers on here (I know Rara09 best ;) ) who might be able to suggest a good person to go to.
I do know that it is best done properly, as if you mess up it is difficult to go back. And no, I didn't know how to put a harness on either and I usually still need reminding a little bit when I go help at the odd trial!
 
I'd go and have a few lessons in driving first. I had a little go with Celebration Carriages in Thatcham with our riding club, was hard work but good fun, bit like learning to drive a car you have to keep your attention on the matter in hand and steer otherwise they just carry on in a straight line!
 
I have been thinking of breaking my miniature for driving to. Luckily for me there is a yard fairly close that specialises in driving. Have you looked to see if there is something simular near enough to you that you could go and get an idea of what is involved.
 
You need to experience carriage driving with a schoolmaster whose done it before so you can get the basics sorted. Then I would recommend sending him to a trainer who specialises in breaking horses to drive.
This is a useful site where you can find everything to do with driving inc lessons for you.
http://www.dragondriving.co.uk/
I drive with my local RDA and I'm hooked. I hope to be passed as an RDA whip some day so I can take more people out myself.
 
When I first started, Dennis Warmsley took me out with his shetlands. Without it, I don't think I'd have ever taken the plunge. Like he said to me, some people just don't get on with it. You're a long way from the pony, and if things go wrong, they go very wrong. Find a local driver (we can probably help on this forum). I know I'd be happy to take someone out, and most drivers will give a little of their time to introduce someone new.

The foreign harness is dirt cheap, and even cheaper 2nd hand, and does well enough to get you started, but you must get someone to check the fit. If your pony's a saint, he may put up with baggy breeching, and a swingle tree crashing into his hocks, but he also just might kick your carriage to pieces and drag what's left of it onto the nearest motorway!

Reading has a tack and carriage sale four times a year. http://www.tsauction.co.uk/2014/11/the-reading-carriage-heavy-horse-sale-3/
If you're looking at new harness haven't found cheaper than these people, and their stuff is better than you'd expect for the money.
http://petssafe.co.uk/horse.html
 
Do go and get some lessons for yourself, if your instructor is local enough they may well be able to help you with your own pony when the time comes. Driving is awesome and generally very straight forward and fun, but when it goes wrong it goes wrong VERY quickly, so it really isn't for novices with novice ponies without outside assistance, especially with bigger ponies.
I would advise you to buy the best harness you can afford within reason - some of the cheap ones are really cheap and either unsafe or uncomfortable - again, try and find someone local who can help you work out what's what. Even if the leather/webbing is decent, the quality of the metalwork is a safety consideration and not something you can always judge by sight.
 
Contact the British Driving Society and look for a Light Harness Horse Instructor. LHHI.

I don't know where you are. I learned to drive with Haydn Webb in Reading but the horse I learned with, was already a peach of a driving horse. (Pics of us on Breeding Forum, 100 years).

I also had lessons with Colin Pawson, who taught me rein handling using a Pulley system, a training method from Germany.

Here is the BDS listing

http://www.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk/contacts/LHHI details/LHHI_details.htm

It is worth having some lessons before you finally decide whether to break you horse to harness.

It is great fun but can be expensive starting out.
 
It can be difficult to get started but is well worth doing. We had no nearby coaches, trainers or clubs but that is changing. I drive my Highland and really love it. We do the happy hacker bit though certainly not plodding as it is much more fun with a responsive pony. We have ventured to our first little competitions too and enjoyed that. My next ambition is to drive on our local beaches where I used to ride. To this end I've got a suitable second hand carriage but not yet used it.
You will never look back. I don't miss riding at all especially as I have various physical problems these days. Driving is great.
 
Look on the BDS (Britsih Driving Society) to find a local qualified instructor. Buy the best carriage and harness you can afford, and get advice on buying a good vehicle that fits your own hoses properly, balance is a vital part. Sally Waldron's book is good.
 
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