What is the procedure of breaking a pony to harness?

[benson21]

Donovan is going on saturday to be broken to harness, by a proffesional, as I knew I wouldnt be able to do it myself.
So, what happens? has anyone on here had someone do their pony? What should I expect?

 

[Littlelegs]

I've not sent one away & I don't consider myself knowledgeable enough to do it without experienced help, but years ago I used to ride for someone who did drive & knew their stuff, & a couple of times was a spare set of hands when they were breaking to drive. Basically they longlined until horse was responsive to the aids, then again in harness, then they'd be harnessed to a tire, then a carriage. I'm not sure how common it is, but two I helped with were previously ridden ponies, & were hacked at the side of an older pony being driven quite a bit to get used to the banging & noise of the carriage. But, my experience comes just from that yard, & due to lack of people always to hand so two could drive, ponies were ridden regularly & I don't know if that's standard.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

I bought a little Welsh D a few years ago who was a ride and drive, broken by a professional.

I was lucky to be able to go to his yard and see how its done. As above post basically. This guy was a retired vet and had a lovely way with his horses, but he said that with a good driving horse/pony, its 99% groundwork and 1% actual time between the shafts TBH - this is what makes a good responsive driving horse and/or team.

The other thing he said was that once broken to harness you need to keep revising the groundwork with them on a regular basis - he did a lot of long-reining, walking along behind, so lots of legwork!!! Also he did a lot of lunging as well.

He stressed that IF you're going out on the public highway with a horse & carriage or team, then you've got to be 101% confident that your horse can deal with anything that it will encounter.

He was very hot on Health & Safety too: if going on the roads then Hi Viz at all times; and always, always, have a "backstepper" in case you get a situation where someone needs to get to the horse's head PDQ. Also important to wear a hard hat at all times plus appropriate footwear, and of course, gloves.

If your horse is being broken by a professional OP, then you need to get along and learn alongside too!!! You'll find it an enlightening experience.

 

[benson21]

I am going to be having lessons where he is going, had my first one with him last week with one of his ponies, got one on saturday as well, then will learn with donovan. I CANT WAIT!!!!!!: