Starting Shetland- Good idea, and help?!?

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Dizzy socks

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So yes, I have a 2 year old Shetland (3 In March) Who I would like to start in harness. She doesn't look like she will grown much, if any, more and has already worn a bridle etc. She is practically bombproof, and I have never known her to spook, but she does appear to be lacking stimulus. She always trots along behind when I rid, and has been sat on and led around.
Do you think that she would cope ok if gradually started in harness, only lunged/trained around once a week? And if so, where should I get a harness, and any tips?
 
Unless you ride a very dormant tiny pony, I'm not suprised a 2yr old shettie lags behind when you ride.
You could start with just longlining, you don't need a proper harness at first. If you haven't broken to drive before then get someone who has to show you when you do. And even when you are only longlining her, before doing so in harness, get someone to check its fitted correctly. Longlining on hacks or in straight lines is fine, but I personally wouldn't lunge anything that age. Harness depends on future purpose, if you plan on going on a happy hack type drive once a week, Robinsons do cheap synthetic. If you plan to drive a lot, better to invest in zilco or similar. You can get 2nd hand English leather ones on eBay, fine for breaking, but I think leather harness is a pita to keep clean long term.
 
I have a pony the same age and would like to break her for driving this year. I do not have another job for her. I have never broken to drive before but i have driven. I am going to have a go. She is 36" and i am going to get synthetic harness to start.
 
We (ok, I) have two of the little darlings both ready to do a job this year and driving is the only thing possible as children not interested in riding. If/when the weather dries up I will start them by walking out in hand and teaching them that stand means stand there and don't move a muscle regardless of the mahoosive tractor and 28 furrow plough approaching..... i will stop it, you stand still little man.

I do think installing the very basic halt is a most important lesson (gained this frem a ver y successful driving friend).

Maybe we should start a thread about our hairy little shi*s and their completely novice drivers. But not now, not till it's nice and sunny and warm...... :o
 
Littlelegs said:
Unless you ride a very dormant tiny pony, I'm not suprised a 2yr old shettie lags behind when you ride.
You could start with just longlining, you don't need a proper harness at first. If you haven't broken to drive before then get someone who has to show you when you do. And even when you are only longlining her, before doing so in harness, get someone to check its fitted correctly. Longlining on hacks or in straight lines is fine, but I personally wouldn't lunge anything that age. Harness depends on future purpose, if you plan on going on a happy hack type drive once a week, Robinsons do cheap synthetic. If you plan to drive a lot, better to invest in zilco or similar. You can get 2nd hand English leather ones on eBay, fine for breaking, but I think leather harness is a pita to keep clean long term.
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Thanks. What I actually meant, was that when I ride in the field they are in (rarely) She trots along behind, with no headcollar etc, she just likes keeping up! yes, it would just be pottering about, will have a look at Robinsons. I will try longlining her, thanks. I have only ever lunged her at the walk, in a huge circle.
 
Magicmadge said:
I have a pony the same age and would like to break her for driving this year. I do not have another job for her. I have never broken to drive before but i have driven. I am going to have a go. She is 36" and i am going to get synthetic harness to start.
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I have only driven a few times before, so will need to learn properly :) Mine will also be broken to ride, but I think I will wait a year for that, as I'm a little bit big :P
 
singing dawg said:
We (ok, I) have two of the little darlings both ready to do a job this year and driving is the only thing possible as children not interested in riding. If/when the weather dries up I will start them by walking out in hand and teaching them that stand means stand there and don't move a muscle regardless of the mahoosive tractor and 28 furrow plough approaching..... i will stop it, you stand still little man.

I do think installing the very basic halt is a most important lesson (gained this frem a ver y successful driving friend).
Click to expand...
Yeah, thats what we've been practising for past few weeks. :)

singing dawg said:
Maybe we should start a thread about our hairy little shi*s and their completely novice drivers. But not now, not till it's nice and sunny and warm...... :o
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Great Idea!
 
I have been toodling around the place with longreins, and she will stop, walk, and trot by voice. Think I may have located a harness, going to see on Thursday, so fingers crossed!
 
pip_dog said:
Ooh id love to break my wee mare to drive. She's a mini. So not too sure what she's capable of. She's 3 this year.
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You can get traps suitable for miniature ponies - definitely worth doing. Our little mini (only 7hh) drives and she absolutely loves it.

Before attaching harness' etc, we broke our mini to drive by long reigning and teaching her to react correctly to voice commands, then moving up to long reigning whilst pulling a tyre behind to get used to pulling the weight, then we got her used to being lined with the full driving harness and blinkers etc before finally attaching the trap.

Your mini will be capable of doing anything a bigger pony or horse can do - just on a much shorter scale! chuckle. Should also add that most mini's love to jump and be schooled too - so running over poles and cross poles, playing gymkhana games etc with her can be great fun.
HTH
xxx
 
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Gawd I know. Thoroughly fed up of rugs, mud, ice, rain, wind, endless feeding. Although Madame mini just has hay. So she's no bother really :)
 
I'm another one with 3 minis who intends to drive the rising 2 year old. She has done lots of walking in hand and is completely traffic proof even with large lorries and buses as well as farm traffic. I am fortunate that there is a very reputable driving yard within 10 miles of me and intent having lessons there and probably getting pony schooled there when the time comes. I can't wait to try it having never driven before. :)
 
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