So, whats the next step to break him to drive?

benson21

benson21

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Donovan is 5. He is backed, and going quite nicely. He lungfes beautifully, going off of my voice aids well. he also long reins well, off of my voice commands again.
So what do I do next to get him to driving? I really would like to do it all myself, if I can, but I dont really have any knowledge of it, so would it be better to have a proffesional?
 
Send him to professional yard. Too many things can go wrong and if you muck it up, it can be difficult if not impossible for a professional to sort out. Don't risk ruining your horse.
 
Where do i find out about proffesionals? And are they expensive? Dont want that to sound like I dont want to pay, but obviously if its gonna cost me thousands, I might just have to think again!
 
Has he got a harness yet?

Can you put long lines accross the back of his legs without him kicking out (something all driving horses should be able to do incase traces break etc).

Does he know stand/ whoa, back up, walk and trot on the voice again all commands hes going to need to know to drive.


Ps cant now as on phone but I will PM you tonight.
 
Can't see where you are as im on my phone but if you are in the south east ..
Www.howe-to-drive.co.uk :D
I went for a lesson here and will be going back for some more when the car stops randomly breaking down :) fantastic yard and really well trained ponies!
 
Look at BDS and BHDTA website for yards which offer breaking services.

May be a silly question but why do you want to break him to drive if you don't drive yourself? You might hate it - quite a few riders do as it is a completely different experience. I would suggest you try it yourself first before spending money on getting your own horse broken. Also, few instructors would suggest a novice driver and novice horse are a good combination.
 
I sent mine( in signature )to a pro for 2 weeks, I did a lot of ground work myself, after he is going well to voice commands, while on long lines, is stopping and starting and stands still, the stand still is most importand, get a helper and walk out long reining on lanes and round arena, then in enclosed area, get old tyre and a harness and attach the tyre to the traces of the harness, with an old bit of roap that you can let go if he kicks off then the tyre will detach, also get a good book on how to do it. Mine went away to be broke to carriage and when he took to it well I then got a carriage, driving is ace.
 
OK, I think maybe sendong him to a pro would be best. Montyforever, yes I am in the South East, so will have a look at that website, thank you.
Smogul, its always been the plan with him to drive as I cant ride from an accident, if it doesnt work out or I cant manage it, then so be it, its not a big deal, he can continue being a field ornament!
 
Forgive m's for being nosy- but I had a look at your old posts to see where you are (the BDS have a list of instructors btw, give the one closest to you a shout an ask for recomendations!) and saw that you had a back injury?

I drive, and do HDT as well as riding, endurance, showing etc. The driving ruins my back. I have a marathon carriage with full suspension- much smoother than a standard 'cart'!! I have padded my seat out, bought a back support and it still hurts like hell.

I'd honestly suggest a few lessons in a variety of vehicles before you take the next step.
 
Another vote for Sarah Howe if you're near the area. I've had a couple of lessons there. Ponies always chilled, relaxed and well behaved, lots of variety in landscapes and terrain and she's a brilliant instructor. :D
 
katastrophykat said:
Forgive m's for being nosy- but I had a look at your old posts to see where you are (the BDS have a list of instructors btw, give the one closest to you a shout an ask for recomendations!) and saw that you had a back injury?

I drive, and do HDT as well as riding, endurance, showing etc. The driving ruins my back. I have a marathon carriage with full suspension- much smoother than a standard 'cart'!! I have padded my seat out, bought a back support and it still hurts like hell.

I'd honestly suggest a few lessons in a variety of vehicles before you take the next step.
Click to expand...

Be as nosy as you like!!!:D:D Yes I do have a bad back, and that is something that worries me. I guess until I try it, I wont know.
 
I did it myself with my they 15 year old welsh pony, but he was 100% bombproof, I'd already been long reining him everywhere as I was too big for him so he was used to going through any type of traffic etc anything, with just a bridle on roller etc, then I got a harness from Zilco a synthetic one, my farrier at the time's wife drove so she gave me a couple of lessons how to harness up etc, I got my pony dragging a tyre behind, he wasn't fazed by anything so was pretty easy. Depends what the horse is like, I certainly wouldn't have done it myself with a 5 year old, mine was 15 and had seen it all. He preferred it to being ridden cos everyone would look as we went by. My dad built me an exercise cart. Good luck with yours hope you have fun with it
 
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