Would you drive and hack?

benson21

benson21

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Now I have got don home, I was asked a question yesterday, which i am not sure about. Would it work if I drove doovan, and someone hacked out with us? Or do you think I might be pushing it?
 
Used to do it all the time BUT all the horses on the hack and drive were used to a cart (2 ride and drive horses and the unflappable cob). I would still have two people in the cart with you though as all it takes is a small hiccup and a lot of spooked horses.
If you have horses that are not bothered by the cart and Donovan is ok with other horses around him then do it, personally I used to drive in front and have the hackers behind me.
 
We used to hack 2-10 horses and ponies with one pony pulling a trap :) he was a seasoned pro, but it worked really well! YO would drive at the back, so she could keep an eye on us and give us a lesson while hacking :D
 
We do OH rides I drive with a groom . I would try somewhere contained like field at first to make sure Donovan and the other horse are ok with it .
My horse does not mind the other horse in front or behind so just be cautious and find out want suits best.
 
I don't think that I would do this with a young horse in the shafts, it would be one more thing to worry about. If you do, I would definitely say keep the ridden horse behind you. Also, a lot of horses are terrified at the sight of a horse and carriage.
 
Why wouldn't you? Mine would hate a horse riding behind tbf but you know your horse :) You could even lead one from the backstep- shock horror ;)
 
We do, OH drives & I ride, sometimes in front for road junctions etc, sometimes behind. All narrow lanes around us and I think it is safer as, from horseback, I can see over the hedges for what's coming. The use of a groom as well is debatable, have seen several instances where groom dismounts when there is a problem only to be left standing, I find another horse far more use in times of trouble.
 
I don't think the use of a groom is debatable you ought never be on a public road without one .
The only place I drive without a groom is in the schooling field with an experianced horse , the groom will be on the yard working along side and comes and gets on for anything faster and exciting than dressage schooling.
 
Sorry if I have offended your sensibilities Goldenstar :-) they look pretty but I was questioning their actual effectiveness in an emergency, of the ones I can recall have watched 3 fell getting off, one of which then got run over, 5 got left behind, 2 spooked the horse further suddenly appearing at their heads, several get trodden on and yelp making things worse. Suppose that is the pains of old age though, have seen a lot lol!! In contrast a calm sensible horse standing by their head has comforted and calmed many youngsters in their first year of driving. Likewise my ridden youngsters seem to find following the carriage very encouraging on their first hacks.
Yes, OH is BDS member and trained, yes there are many club debates on the subject, no it is not an insurance requirement that you carry a groom.
 
Have to agree with goldenstar- I don't think the use of a groom is debatable when talking about going out on the roads!
 
Yertis said:
Sorry if I have offended your sensibilities Goldenstar :-) they look pretty but I was questioning their actual effectiveness in an emergency, of the ones I can recall have watched 3 fell getting off, one of which then got run over, 5 got left behind, 2 spooked the horse further suddenly appearing at their heads, several get trodden on and yelp making things worse. Suppose that is the pains of old age though, have seen a lot lol!! In contrast a calm sensible horse standing by their head has comforted and calmed many youngsters in their first year of driving. Likewise my ridden youngsters seem to find following the carriage very encouraging on their first hacks.
Yes, OH is BDS member and trained, yes there are many club debates on the subject, no it is not an insurance requirement that you carry a groom.
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You have not offended my senesbilities but I am sorry you seem to have such a problem getting good efficent horse people to 'groom ' for you.
I have only once swung off a groom ( in a water obstical ) and even then he jumped back on as he had managed to hang on with one hand.
I have never left a groom behind use only riders who I have trained or if I am lucky a fellow driver to this job I agree those who yelp or are generally incompadent are best left at home but that's not a reason IMO to have no one .
 
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