Getting Started

[blackjack]

Hi there, I am hoping that some of you out there may be able to help me. I have never had a go at driving before but am very keen to eventually break Thor to drive. As many of you will know, I have had all kinds of confidence issues with my riding and have wondered whether driving would be a good alternative for me until I get my confidence back a bit. Also, I feel that driving is perhaps a more sociable discipline, at least you can take a non horsey passenger out with you and they would still enjoy the ride.

Therefore I was wondering two things. The first is whether anyone can give me any tips or hints on the basic preparation work that would be involved in breaking him to drive. I do not have access to any kind of carriage at the moment and unfortunately it does not look like I will be able to afford to buy one in the forseeable future but it would be good to at least make a start. The second thing is whether there is anybody out there in the south who drives and might be prepared to have me come along and visit them to see exactly what is involved and maybe (being really cheeky now) for us to go for a short drive so that I can see what it really is like before I go spending time and money on getting started and then finding I don't like it!! My driving experience is limited to a horse and carriage for my first wedding - a very different ballgame to driving yourself!!

Any help, advice or anything that any of you can offer would be great as I am quite excited at the prospect of being able to do this.

Many thanks
Nikki

[harleydales]

I broke Harley to drive myself over 3 years. I didn't have a carriage/gig until 2007 but took a long time over the groundwork.

The first thing I did was loads and loads and loads and loads of long-lining - in the fields, up and down our road, on the public road, in the forestry etc. Just in a bridle and long lines with a roller on to keep the reins up.

In early 2007 I bought a Tedex Tedman harness, synthetic with lovely broad padded breast and breeching. The width really suits the Dales and distributes the pressure.

Once he was used to long-lining in the harness (hilarious when the winkers went on for the first time, he couldn't work out where the world had gone!) I attached a tyre to the traces and he towed that around the fields and roads, then i changed that to a fish box, then a fish box with chains hanging out of it so it made LOTS of noise. Once this was all calm on the road, we made a skeleton out of wood - basically 2 long sides of a rectangle, and one short side - so the long sides are open at one end like shafts, and these free ends went into the tugs. This got him used to the feel of shafts moving on his sides, plus something more rigid behind him. We attached chains to that too!!

Then we just went easily onto the gig - a simple cheap 2 wheeled exercise cart. It was so much quieter than all the chains he took to it no bother at all - probably glad of the peace!!

In the gig we did lots of work in the field, with me driving and Mike at his head in case of trouble, then we progressed to the roads around us (very quiet) including gates and cars and dogs.
I got a local driver to come over and check the fit of the harness and gig and was surprised to find I had everything a hole too loose.

So far he has been very good - we don't get a lot of time to drive because of his ridden work but I hope to do more this year.

The main things I have learnt are:
You can't overdo the groundwork
The more voice activated they are the better
They MUST learn to stand where you put them and not move
Always have someone with you for safety
Have somneone who knows their stuff check your harness and gig

There are other more experienced drivers than me on here who will have other tips and advice for you. I know some people would never break their horse to drive themselves, but I have found that by working through the problems and worries with Harley, I now know what is likely to worry him and can pre-empt any problems. He is the first horse I have broken to drive and he's not the most straightforward, so there's no reason why you can't do it yourself, with help from more experienced people when you can get it.

Good luck and enjoy!!


Modified to say my harness cost £280 and the gig was £250.

[kestrel]

hi nicci, my new pony is supposed to have driven, and i would love to give it a go, and a chap i use for transport, drives and has said he has a harness and carriage for sale that would fit him.. im planning to have some lessons at bradbourne in the spring...

reckon you are fairly near me, ( im in kent too ) maybe do something together ??

[Deleted]

Hi Nikki,
I drive and compete regually indoor and club outdoor stuff with the welsh's (beau's not yet old enough to break yet) I did a driving demostration at Delia's a couple of years ago and got one customer who's dales i broke and is still driving it. Bradbourne is a very good driving centre i know the owner sara howe very well, and is very good at breaking and even producing your horse if required.
I understand where your coming from Nikki and thats what alot of these drivers do, when they feel un-easy about their weight and people judging them when the ride they drive there horses instead, obviously if your slighty larger build you get a lightweight carriage or if your a stick person you get a heavyweight to compensate the horse.
Thor would make an excellant driving pony his mum has been in harness pulling logs around the farm.
i dont clain to be an expert when it comes to driving but i've helped / groomed for some top team drivers and have driven several different combinations or turnout

[diamonds]

Hi Nikki, my Magic is a ride and drive. Iv"e had her nearly 3 years now. My friend used to teach and break to drive. Mags knows what she is doing - shes a pro - its me who needed the lessons! All was going really well and I had had several months of lessons and was getting the hang of it when sadly my friend suddenly died the night of our best ever lesson, 9 miles of driving heaven. I really miss her and the driving but cannot bring myself to get the harness out again. Mags would LOVE to go out again as its her favorite thing to do. Its been nearly 2 years now. I wish you all the best in your driving venture. I promised Debbie at her funeral that I would carry on driving. I think this year I will be ready to start again.
By the way, any drivers in suffolk?