JoshuaR97
Well-Known Member
Was thinking of breaking my 20 year old cob into driving? Got all the harness and a light weight trap but just don't know if he's too old to be broken in for it now? He's still being ridden but wanna try something knew
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Too old to break in to drive?
- Thread starter JoshuaR97
- Start date
Finlib
Well-Known Member
I had a pony broken to harness at16 she took to it really well she was an Arab x cob She was an excellent riding horse an bomb proof .worth a try
pennyturner
Well-Known Member
Try a bit of long-reining. If the horse goes well when ground-driven, stands patiently and is good in traffic, I see no reason why not. The first pony I broke was 13, and despite being a downright dangerous ride, took to driving like a duck to water.
Annagain
Well-Known Member
It depends on the horse I think and how co-operative and ready to learn he is. Before I had him, (was told the story when I got him). My old, very opinionated, Sec D went to be broken to drive at the age of 11 by a very old school sort of man. He was meant to be gone 3 weeks. He was sent home after 3 days with the words. "If I ever see that horse again I'll shoot him." So his driving career was over before it began!
Exploding Chestnuts
Well-Known Member
When you start driving do not mix with riding. Make sure he knows "its a different game, new rules".
Verbal commands.
He MUST learn to stand in the yard with his gear on, when that special gear goes on, he must be totally obedient, make him aware of the new commands. He will know the difference if you change your approach, even your clothing, make it a whole different ball game, don't laugh, but when a girl at our yard came to work in a jacket similar to the trainer's, she had a lot of respect from her horses, which previously took the pixel. It did not last long.
Me too: we had a difficult horse and I always spoke to him when I walked past [he would bite people], one day I changed my headgear and he nearly got me!
You need to learn to long rein with a light whip which is used to tap on the sides [not the rump!!!!, never the rump]. So after he is driving out on the long reins start carrying the whip.
Get someone to walk beside you down a bumpy track with a wheelbarrow filled with noisy tools. He must be stoic enough to pass this test.
The second test is pulling a log over a stone track [you have hold of a quick release rope as well as the reins.
The thing you must learn is: NEVER ever take the bridle and headcollar off with horse attached to the carriage. Most carriage horses have a slim driving headcollar under the bridle, this is much safer.
Verbal commands.
He MUST learn to stand in the yard with his gear on, when that special gear goes on, he must be totally obedient, make him aware of the new commands. He will know the difference if you change your approach, even your clothing, make it a whole different ball game, don't laugh, but when a girl at our yard came to work in a jacket similar to the trainer's, she had a lot of respect from her horses, which previously took the pixel. It did not last long.
Me too: we had a difficult horse and I always spoke to him when I walked past [he would bite people], one day I changed my headgear and he nearly got me!
You need to learn to long rein with a light whip which is used to tap on the sides [not the rump!!!!, never the rump]. So after he is driving out on the long reins start carrying the whip.
Get someone to walk beside you down a bumpy track with a wheelbarrow filled with noisy tools. He must be stoic enough to pass this test.
The second test is pulling a log over a stone track [you have hold of a quick release rope as well as the reins.
The thing you must learn is: NEVER ever take the bridle and headcollar off with horse attached to the carriage. Most carriage horses have a slim driving headcollar under the bridle, this is much safer.
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