What do you look for in a driving instructor?

[Debbie]

Okay, to clarify well before I get started with this question... Blossom is only 2 years old. So this is really a question for the future, maybe next year's summer, if I think she's matured enough. And that's a big IF!

But what do you look for in someone that does driving instructing and training for a pony??

[clara]

I would try to find an accredited instructor as they will normally be the best. In England they are called LHHI LIGHT hARNESS hORSE iNSTRUCTOR. Failing that see if you can get a word of mouth recomendation from someone. If you get yourself driving between now and next year or even the year after you could do most of Blossoms ground work for driving at home yourself, especially if you found someone local to keep an eye on you both. It isn't rocket science and unless you know the trainer very well and can keep a day to day eye on how everything is going and if possible be involved. You will know your pony best and should always be in a position to make the final decision on her training as you will have to deal with any mistakes made. I know some fantastic trainerS but I know many more bad ones! Your Amish comunity could be a good lead?
I always think that ponies can drive earlier than ride. I have a 3 year old who I am starting this year but who I would not ride. I have never broken a pony before but I have lots of knowledgeable help. I am aiming to break him before September having started long reigning him in April! We are just playing really but it works really well and I do a couple of weeks then I leave him let him think about it then I do a bit more and then leave him this works well as he isn't overloaded. I have taken him to do in hand showing, taught him to stand up nice and respond to my voice aids. Also vital is learning to be tied up and to stand and not fidget all vitally important in a driving pony. You can mouth a horse , get him used to wearing rugs (this gets them used to having things round their back legs). Teach her to lunge but just don't do more than about ten minutes and keep the circle very large by walking. Then one can do a bit of longreigning, I lunge for ten mins at the start to get him listening to the voice and also to allow him to buck and generally get rid of the ants in his pants. If you want to use blinkers then you easily spend two weeks introducing those as she can just wear them while you groom her and lead her around. I'm blabbing but there is so much goes into educating a pony before they even see a vehicle or harness and long reins even if she isn't very mature ther eis still so much to do and she will enjoy it to. Mine will literally be broken now and as soon as he is happy with it we will turn him away till next year when he will be four and ready to do a short season, a little showing, dressage, a bit of pairs get out and about and see tghe world and be broken to ride. It is only when he is five that he will do a full competitive season. AAAAr so much work and time best not to think about it!! There ar some good DVD's on starting ponies which would give you an idea of what is involved.

[Debbie]

Clara THANK YOU!!!! for all these suggestions!!!

I do indeed have an elderly Amish fellow that I have in mind to train Blossom. He comes highly recommended, and I've seen video photage of a pony stallion that he's trained. The pony is excellent....very light, very responsive and most important of all ~ he's enjoying every second of it!!!

Still there's loads that I can play with Blossom in the meantime, and the thought never occured to me to play with the blinkers on, getting her used to that.

;D Yep, lunging is excellent for getting the antsys out!

[lucydales]

Lovely thread, ladies!

Amy just fell into driving but Isaac needs a little more work! Mind you we are now starting to work on Amy's "stand and don't fidget" lessons which we should have done earlier! Now I'm learning to long rein properly they are all getting more work!

Isaac is good on short-long reins but has an issue with long ones and circles (explodes and bogs off!) probably a gremlin from his early days! I'm working through that though. Amy doesn't like to stand when asked, so she's working on that. She's much better in the cart than on long reins! Pants has no concept of walking forward with someone behind so he had to follow me with Claire behind yesterday, he has some major issues from the hands of a so called professional before I got him from a rescue centre (be careful who you send your ponies to!!) so his re-training is very much in its infancy. I had a good lesson yesterday and did a bit with each of the ponies. Back to your question, Debbie, perhaps you should fly Claire out for a few weeks!!

Sue and I are thinking of going on a driving holiday to learn a bit more ourselves with trained ponies that know their job. Is there anywhere anyone would recommend for us to go?

I'm sorry, Debbie I seem to be hi-jacking your thread!! You could also see if there is anyone near you that does "Bridge & Target" training (developed by a American lady called Kayce Cover) which is a great tool for teaching new things. Whereabouts are you in the USA?

Oh yes! Why bother with blinkers??!!!!

PS (edit) It's not the one's they show on video that you should check up on but the 10 they ruined first in getting "the one"! Pls check up carefully on your chap (though he sounds good). Best he comes to you and you can monitor what he does and learn for your next one at the same time! I wouldn't send my ponies away to anyone now, I may be pants but at least I know what i've done wrong. Vanty (Pants) has taught me lots about how others (shouldn't) do it! Poor little chap!

[Debbie]

Believe me, I know Claire and she's a fabulous person and instructor....if I could, I'd actually be winging me and Blossom to her for her convienence.

Alas the world is not perfect, and we're stuck a half a world apart. But this elderly Amish chap I have to say has been recommended thoroughly, and the example I've seen ....well, as I said, I was very impressed. Usually the Amish horses are shut down unless they are in their spanking trots going down the road. This stallion was adoring every second of his time in the traces..... and that's gotta be down to compasionate training.

And no, Blossom's training, and who can do what with her is something I'm very, very cautious over. LOL, probably too cautious some would say, but she's my baby and my dream pony....I'm excessively overprotective of her.

[lucydales]

Over protective is good, Debbie! So many animals (not just horses) are ruined by bad so called trainers!

Behavioural issues is becoming one of the biggest reasons for horses being given up to rescue centres or being put down now according to the Blue Cross. Traditional horsemanship is being slagged off at the moment especially by the natural-h-m-s crowd. Any training method works well if done with compassion and good "feel", unfortunately if you've not learnt good timing and patience, and knowing when to walk away and come back tomorrow, no method in the world will work well for you!

Good luck with Blossom's training, keep us posted so I found out all the things I've missed out! LOL!! It sounds like you've looked into your chap well. Will Bloss need to go to him or will he come to you? Perhaps you could see him train some other ponies first if she's going to stay? I take my hat off to anyone that can train a stallion!! After seeing the power that Sammy had (and how well he listened to Tony) I'm not sure that I'd be up to that!!

[Debbie]

This Amish fellow's method is 30 days of training (ishish). Pony is with him for 2 weeks, and the owner is encouraged for visits throughout. But the last two weeks owner needs to be there, so the horse/pony and owner can work in harmony and learn what the pony has been learning.

I've been told he has a way with horses, and I've seen it firsthand. Some people just have an aura about them that calms the horses instantly. They want to be with the person, and are happy and curious to follow instruction...and this elderly Amish fellow seems to be such a gem.

[lucydales]

Real horsemen are worth their weight in gold! This chap sounds a gem, Debbie.

Sorry if I sounded a bit negative, I'd just hate myself if someone had their pony spoilt and I could have said something to help them. I guess we're two of a kind and it was rude of me to infer you hadn't thought things through properly!

Keep us posted on progress. Lx

[clara]

He sounds great!! Lucky you, I always think that the older generation are better. They normally have lots of patience and they have seen it all before! If you get a chance see if you can learn before then too. I found the change from riding to driving really strange at first. I think there are some breeds of ponies/horses who are traditional draft animals and on the whole in much the same way as a labrador is born knowing its job ponies are the same. My baby who was quite frightened of everything at first took to long reigning like a duck to water. It was as though he was born to it, bless him! He is very proud at being so good at it too. I hope he takes to the vehicle in the same way.
Lucy I don't know anything about Claire do tell me what she is all about? She sounds great!

[PonyGirl]

That is awsome! I look forward to your posts!

[clara]

Me too, will you do picturesas well please?!!

[Debbie]

LOL...I don't know about pics of me and Blossom...will have to sweet talk hubby for it

As for the Amish fellow, I wouldn't dream of taking pics. I know how utterly overexploited they are in this region. Sadly the tourist see them as 'freaks' or at the absolute best 'quaint'. I respect all of them, and understand their lifestyle is their lifestyle, so I can't/won't share pics of him. They are quiet people of God afterall.

However, I do promise pics of me and Blossom once we're underway. Goofs and glory as it were! I'm sure we'll have our share of both.

And Lucy, you have given very sound, very solid advice!!! Never ever apologize for that ~ ever If more people were to investigate these 'so called' horse experts they would be appauled. I'm in the same agreement.....visit the 'trainer' first. Observe how they handle horses. Do they adapt to that pony/horses needs, or way of learning? Are they kind and patient?? What is your gut instinct to this person? If you feel happy with them, and the ponies seem happy and very responsive ~ you've found a gold mine.

If you feel a slightest twinge or apprehension about this person, thank them for their time ~ and RUN!!! Look elsewhere for the person you need to train you and/or your pony. That twinge can build into a huge regret. It is your body telling you something is wrong, though on the logical level everything looks right. Your subconscious (gut instinct) knows there's something else going on.

Isaac is a good example of 'something' lurking that happened that wasn't in the best interests of the pony at that time. A caring owner can make the world of difference to their pony. The best expert on your pony is YOU.

[lucydales]

Thanks Debbie, I was worried I'd upset you! That's the worst thing about email, you can't see how it's received!

Claire is Claire Dale who is my riding/driving instructor. She has been brilliant for me as she gives you bags of confidence and celebrates the little wins. As importantly for me, she has tempered her training to suit my horse views and methods so that what we do suits my ethics.

Her family have bred Dales for sometime and until recently had their own stallion (Dartdale Peter Boy who is now out on loan due to circumstances) , both Claire and her dad, Roger, are Dales and M&M (I think) judges, Roger's on the DPS committee, her mum Val organises the Performance Show, so they are all Dales through and through!

Claire doesn't claim to be a top notch driver, but has done enough to get any pony going safely and correctly, and has huge empathy with the ponies as well as her pupils. Riding wise she is of the classical school and rides superbly. Fortunately she lives in Staffordshire not to far from me! I used to have an instructor who improved my riding but ruined my confidence, Claire's giving me it back!

Not sure that helps you over much, but there it is!!

[Debbie]

Thanks Debbie, I was worried I'd upset you!

It takes a lot to upset me, Lucy.

[lucydales]

Oh, ....I'll have to try harder then!!!! (Only joking!!!!)