Is she too old?

[Rachel94]

I have always thought about breaking my tb mare to drive and have constantly put it off just for various reasons, I'm working too much, I dont have the time or what if she doesn't take to it? She is broken and riding lovely from 5 but I still would like the option to ride or to drive. Is it too late to start her driving education at 8 years old? Ive been told she's too old now by fellow drivers however she was easy to break and learns quickly with new schooling exercises?

Any advice is appreciated,
Rachel

 

[Littlebear]

I had a horse years ago i didnt start till she was 14, she was super easy to train and i had quite a few good years with her.

If anything i would say it was easier than starting her young as she was much more of a handful in her younger years.

 

[Rachel94]

I had a horse years ago i didnt start till she was 14, she was super easy to train and i had quite a few good years with her.

If anything i would say it was easier than starting her young as she was much more of a handful in her younger years.

I think she is sensible enough to do it. Did you train to ride or drive? Where do I start? Lol

 

[Littlebear]

I think she is sensible enough to do it. Did you train to ride or drive? Where do I start? Lol

I started with training to drive then decided to ride instead, it was a walk in the park if i am honest could have done either and not had an issue. I did take a fair bit of time doing it, i rode and lead her from my other one out hacking, then with tack etc, long reining and what not, just the usual course or starting just over more time as i had no rush.

 

[rara007]

Certainly not!

 

[FinnishLapphund]

A horse is too old to be taught how to pull something behind them at the grand old age of 8! Surely they can't be serious?

As long as her health, and conformation is okay, even if you forgot to put a 1 before the 8, and she is actually 18, I presume it is like the saying about that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Of course they can learn new tricks, if they want to, and with the right training.

You might find out that she actually doesn't like pulling something behind her, or is unsuitable for some other reason, but I don't see why she would be too old to give it a try.

 

[Rachel94]

A horse is too old to be taught how to pull something behind them at the grand old age of 8! Surely they can't be serious?

As long as her health, and conformation is okay, even if you forgot to put a 1 before the 8, and she is actually 18, I presume it is like the saying about that you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Of course they can learn new tricks, if they want to, and with the right training.

You might find out that she actually doesn't like pulling something behind her, or is unsuitable for some other reason, but I don't see why she would be too old to give it a try.

Yes she is 8 and I have been told she will be impossible to train to drive as she's been just ridden? I think she will learn quickly and I don't have any nerves about her learning to pull. Confirmation is perfect and I've no health concerns about her, I was only worried incase I was being unrealistic wanting to train her to drive at this stage?

 

[Rachel94]

This is her ?

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

This is her ?

Has she ever been long-reined? Then she will know exactly what driving is all about.

 

[Rachel94]

Has she ever been long-reined? Then she will know exactly what driving is all about.

Yes long reined when I was breaking her but that was as a 3 / 4 year old so just hope she remembers? She has never had anything behind her as such so not sure where to start off I'm guessing a tyre is the best shout to see how she takes to the noise etc

 

[TreeDog]

I just started driving my 11yo. I went slowly and only did what he was comfortable with, fully prepared to get professional help if I got stuck or felt I was out of my depth. In the end he was pretty easy, I only worked with him a couple days a week and was out driving on the road after just over a month of prep work and I think by the 4th session with the cart, probably could have been quicker but I didn't want to rush him. We went for our 3rd proper drive on the road last weekend, he's not perfect yet but I'm very proud of our progress. I think it did help that I'd already done groundwork and long reining with him. I also did things like pick up long branches when riding and drag along the ground behind him, this helped him get used to noise behind him and things touching around his back legs, and also gave me an idea of how he would react to unusual things happening. There are some excellent videos on YouTube but also some rubbish ones so do be careful where you get information from.

 

[Rachel94]

I just started driving my 11yo. I went slowly and only did what he was comfortable with, fully prepared to get professional help if I got stuck or felt I was out of my depth. In the end he was pretty easy, I only worked with him a couple days a week and was out driving on the road after just over a month of prep work and I think by the 4th session with the cart, probably could have been quicker but I didn't want to rush him. We went for our 3rd proper drive on the road last weekend, he's not perfect yet but I'm very proud of our progress. I think it did help that I'd already done groundwork and long reining with him. I also did things like pick up long branches when riding and drag along the ground behind him, this helped him get used to noise behind him and things touching around his back legs, and also gave me an idea of how he would react to unusual things happening. There are some excellent videos on YouTube but also some rubbish ones so do be careful where you get information from.

That's great! Well done on your progress! No I'm in no rush and have helped friends break horses to drive as well as ride so just want to take my time with her. I really am in no rush but still something I've always wanted to do with her. I'm hoping she will take to it like a duck to water. But will only continue when she is ready.