Which first - riding or driving?

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domane

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I have a traditional yearling and although it's still a very long way off, I want to break him to drive as well as back him for riding. But it's only just occurred to me that I don't actually know what to do first :o. I suppose, the driving would be a good start because of long-lining and learning voice commands. His birthday is 11th June (same as mine :D) so I guess we could get started in the spring as he is rising 4?
 
Ride first!!! When a horse is taught to drive first they only learn walk and trot so when it comes to riding you'll have a problem with canter. My pony drove more than rode before i got her and she really struggled with canter. I'm doing the same with my Welsh D colt as i want to teach him to drive too but don't want to cause problems for riding in the future. Still do all the ground work though like long-lining and voice commands as it will all help towards both ridden and driven work :D

Oh, and my birthday is the 11th of June too!!! :D
 
I was told that if you were going to ride them more than drive then you break to ride first. and if you wanted to do more driving with them then you break them to drive first.

PonyFeet makes a very good point about the canter issue tho.
 
we have never had a problem with the driving cobs & cantering when ridden (my issue is more often the stopping bit!).
they have all been put to first & then backed as they got older & stronger, mind you they all canter in harness due to being used for competetive marathon competitions
 
Thank you for your answers. I think I'll need to see how I feel when it's time... the reason I want to be able to drive him is in case I feel the need to retire the ole bones from clambering aboard!! Interesting comments, though :)
 
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