Teaching horse to drive

[HorseyTee]

Hi, I've just joined the forum but been lurking for a while and hoping you can help me.

I have a 13 year old Cob who I've owned for 18 months now. He's a solid boy, great on the roads and with traffic.
My question is....is he too old to be taught how to pull a cart?
As far as I am aware he has never been used in this way before so would be a completely new thing for him. He is great to long rein although I know this isn't much similar to a horse being used to drive.
Not sure how serious I am on the idea at the moment, more just musing it over and wondering if it's a possibility.

Thanks

 

[Shay]

He's not too old. If they are sound and engaged there is no such thing as "too old" to be taught to do something different. At 13 he is a mere spring chicken! As they age - and I am thinking 20+ here - you do have to be careful of age related degeneration etc and be careful not to over face or strain them. The oldest I have started to drive was 21 on his passport - but I suspect was older. He loved it.

Do get help to train though - standing behind something is not the safest place to be should they startle!

 

[Auslander]

Can you drive?

 

[HorseyTee]

He's not too old. If they are sound and engaged there is no such thing as "too old" to be taught to do something different. At 13 he is a mere spring chicken! As they age - and I am thinking 20+ here - you do have to be careful of age related degeneration etc and be careful not to over face or strain them. The oldest I have started to drive was 21 on his passport - but I suspect was older. He loved it.

Do get help to train though - standing behind something is not the safest place to be should they startle!

Thank you that is really helpful.
I'll have to have a Google to see if I can find a local trainer who would be able to teach me and him.

 

[splashgirl45]

my friend taught his riding horse to drive as he couldnt ride anymore due to physical problems but wanted the horse to stay fit. horse was 20 and took to it really well. happy horse, happy owner.....so age is not a problem but the expertise of the person teaching is very important so if you dont know yourself it would be dangerous to try....

 

[Shay]

There is probably no "right" way to go about this - but I learned to drive long before I tried to break a pony to drive. The difference in control can be quite scary and in general terms two novices teaching each other isn't great. Perhaps contact the British Driving Society and find an instructor locally who can teach you first.

 

[HorseyTee]

Thank you. It's encouraging to know that he can potentially learn.
I would definitely be having a professional to teach him though as I wouldn't know where to begin so it would be a recipe for disaster.