Thinking about driving

[NoseyPosey]

Although I got my Shire to ride, it's always been in the back of my mind to get her driving if and when funds allowed, especially after long reigning the other day but I thought I'd ask what I need to consider first. My initial questions are:

1. Is it a good idea to ride AND drive a horse?

2. Does the equipment (I'm thinking harnesses more than cart) have to be expensive?

3. Is a cart subject to any regulations as far as roadworthiness is concerned?

4. How does driving a horse differ to riding one? Is it easier or harder?

Please tell me your experiences, good & bad.

 

[millikins]

Hi, there's some very experienced drivers on here who can tell you more about costs. I'm relatively new to it, about 2 years and am at the opposite end of the scale with a Shettie X so my costs are much less than yours will be.
No reason not to ride and drive, there are show classes for this.
No regulations for carts I don't think, except lights/reflectors as with bicycles, obviously for peace of mind should be checked by someone knowledgeable and maintained regularly.
You are advised NEVER to drive unaccompanied, if things go wrong they can go very wrong.
Daughter can't take to driving 'cos she can't adjust to not using her legs!
It's great fun, I love it.

 

[Miss L Toe]

Ride and driving is a good mix and most top competition driving horses will be schooled under saddle.
It is quite a big undertaking, you need an experienced groom and with a big horse might be best to do a lot of groundwork and send for training, also you need suitable driving roads.
Read up about it. Sally Waldron and Heike Bean have written good books.
You need a good strong synthetic harness [Zilco], but they are often good ones second hand. £300-£400 max. and there are two seater exercise carts from £300, a sliding seat allows balance to be altered.
Dragon Driving has lots of examples, good and bad, very bad!

 

[BigRed]

I drove my shetland for a while, the main drawback for me, was that it really takes two - to be safe, whereas I can go for a ride on my own. I couldn't always nab my husband as a spare pair of hands.

I don't think I'd want to drive something as big as a shire, you will surely need a big vehicle to put behind it ?

 

[katastrophykat]

You'll find it hard to get a carriage large enough, I have a 15.3/16hh three year old and we're already having problems (but i do compete and am looking for a three-phase 4 wheeler so a bit different to you!) a quality harness is important- your horse has a lot of strength, and tatty skinny webbing just won't cut it- certain brands don't do extra full either.

Try the heavy horse driving trials site (just chuck it in google) for more info and for sale kit to fit your biggie- be aware that a two wheeler will be to fit only two inches either side- eg 15.2-16.2, and those advertised as 14.2 to 17hh are most definitely NOT that!!

And you must have two people on board.

Best of luck

 

[hayinamanger]

Great idea, plenty of long reining, then drag something noisy as you long rein, if the horse copes with the noise you will have a good idea if he will be suitable for driving. Not every horse will take to it, so it's better to find someone who is capable of breaking a heavy horse to harness to put the horse in and get him started before you spend money on harness and a cart.

Buy the best that you can afford, harness and vehicle. There is no margin for error, if a bit of kit breaks, it can be catastrophic, particularly with a big horse.

As a starter turnout, both Zilco and Ideal harness are excellent, and Hillam make a good strong exercise vehicle.