you driving people

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pixiebee

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After many years of always wanting to drive, I have finally decided to go ahead-ive had driving lessons in the past so am ok with that-I wanted some advice however on whether my pony would be suitable for driving/what makes a good driving pony and the best equipment/way to do it.
My pony is a 13.2hh new forest, he is 14 years old and has a generally calm temperement, he is foreward going with good brakes and is good in heavy traffic, although sometimes decides to stop and not go anywhere on small lanes, if i get off and lead him he is fine or after a few choosen words!! He does not spin round or run off, he just stops!!! He is good at long reining and good with voice commands. I have not yet introduced a harness or cart to him. can someone please tell me what equipment i need to buy ie cart...it would be for two people(2 seater)???
oh..and how long it usually takes (a rough guide)
 
With reference to the equipment to buy - Bellcrown does a good starter package (i.e harness, 2 wheel carriage etc) - they have a website.

I used to work for a woman who drove a pony team - we broke some of the babies to drive, however, they were started off in a pair rather than a single. I cant remember how long we took from start to finish, I guess it depends on the pony as to how long it would take to break it to harness - some would pick it up really quickly, others would take a bit more time and repetition.

If you know of any one nearby to you who has experience of driving I would ask them to give you a hand.
 
It depends on the pony ! but I would spend time getting used to harness, long reining him in it and long reining him around the roads, cos horses can act different on the roads with blinkers on
 
Whereabouts in Wales are you? I used to work for a very well known scurry driver who's based in Swansea and breaks ponies. He also custom builds harness and vehicles. PM me for more info.

Your pony sounds ideal to drive. A lot of scurry ponies have had time under saddle before being broken to drive so are a bit older and it gives them a new lease of life. I agree that you should spend time long reining on the roads, take somebody with you with a long rope attached to the pony just in case. You should then get somebody to lean back on the traces (once you get a harness) and get the pony used to pulling a frame or tyre before putting to a vehicle.

I would definately get advice from an experienced person as it can be dangerous for somebody without any experience trying to break to drive. Try the SDA website - www.scurrydrivers.co.uk and ask on the forum for advice. Or the BDS - www.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk for a list of people near you who may be able to help.
 
Then start him pulling a tyre, you must have a second person to help from here on as they can get to his head whilst you have the reins, or release the tyre ect. He needs to learn to pull and put up with the different sounds the tyre makes over grass, gravel, roads, puddles and dead leaves... Be very careful when trotting with the tyre as they can become airborn on corners.
 
Have somebody attach a long rope through the bit, up&over his head and walk in front at first, when pulling tyres&a vehicle and putting to. The advantage of a long rope is that the person can quietly drop back so that the pony is walking on his own but the person still has hold of him, just in case. You could also oull a heavy branch over gravel, leaves etc to make a noise and replicate the sound of the tyres.
 
he sounds perfect for the job, buy breaking a horse to harness by sally walround.... i used it to break my shetland and have never looked back x
 
I would love to see someone cut the traces with a frantic horse - driving is good fun, you will definitely enjoy it. I do.
 
thanks for the advice-i have ordered that book from amazon and a dvd too-ive looked up the local driving school in my area too for a few brush up lessons! I have priced up a beginner type cart and harness from Robinsons equestrian, the cart looks to be ideal and a good price but has anyone used one or know someone that has??
 
Go for more lessons to get your eye in again. Driving is an entirely different skill to riding. You would not concider getting on a novice riding horse , or breaking a horse to ride unless you had reached a certain level of proficiency! In the same way that riding school horses are not 'real' horses... experienced driving ponies are nothing like a novice horse.

A novice driving horse and a novice driver are a lethal combination. With a novice horse you need to have excellent hands and excellent whip co-ordination and know precicely what you are doing. If things go wrong driving, they go VERY wrong.

As far as carts go, I would get a cheapo cart for breaking. That way, if it gets smashed to pieces you won't be so gutted! Save your money till you know what sort of driving you will be your thing as the sort of carts for each type are very different.

And, get some quick releasers.... then if you have an accident you will stand half a chance of getting your horse out.
 
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thanks for the advice-i have ordered that book from amazon and a dvd too-ive looked up the local driving school in my area too for a few brush up lessons! I have priced up a beginner type cart and harness from Robinsons equestrian, the cart looks to be ideal and a good price but has anyone used one or know someone that has??

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Don't bother with a cart from Robinsons they are very flimsy, more suited to children than adults, that is on the advice of my driving instructor ..
 
I have seen and handled one of Robinsons original carts, and would say stay clear, however they have improved now, but I still wouldn't be tempted.
Your pony sounds a good type to break to harness, I have done this myself before and also had one profesionally broken. I did however have an experienced driver (my then to-be hubby) when I did it myself. I would highly recommend you get an experienced person to help rather than go it alone. it is so easy to do something or not know how to control a situation, which could spell the end for a horse/pony.
Now, don't let me put you off, driving is so much fun, a real pleasure, so Good Luck.
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