Books to get Started

MajorClementine · Dec 4, 2010

I would like to start working my mini this winter to put in front of a cart next spring. I was wondering if anyone knows any good books that will tell me all the different parts of cart and harness, what they are called, what they do, and how to hook them all up. Also something that goes step by step from the very beginning to successful driving. I am not wanting to show right now so it'll just be for pleasure.

hobbyhorse23 · Dec 4, 2010

Hi, welcome to the forum!

Three good books I can think of along those lines are Heike Bean's "Carriage Driving: A Logical Approach Through Dressage Training," "The Essential Guide To Carriage Driving," by Robyn Cuffey and Jaye Allison Winkel, and "Breaking a Horse to Harness: A Step-by-Step Guide," by Sallie Walrond. All three nicely cover the basics without talking down and do a very good job of explaining the "why" of driving rules. Doris Ganton's "Breaking and Training the Driving Horse" is a good book too but more geared towards using a check and driving fine harness horses in the show ring if I recall correctly.

What will help the most is if you can find a trainer or driving mentor in your area who can work with you and your horse to put all that book-learning into a real-life context.

The books are priceless, but it's not the same as having someone knowledgeable show you how to do things!

Leia

RhineStone · Dec 4, 2010

I concur with Leia and add Driven Dressage with the Single Horse not so much for the topic (which is excellent, but a bit above a beginner) but the illustrations! She has great drawings of how to fit harness correctly. If I had to pick one book, I would choose the Cuffey/Winkel book for a total beginner.

And, yes, a coach is priceless.

Myrna

O So · Dec 4, 2010

I like this topic!! I am also just getting started, which a lot of you already know!

Here is a list of books I am buying. In fact I have been "im" patiently, lol, watching my mail box for them to get here.

Starting to Drive: Threshold Picture Guide #28

Driving Do's and Don'ts (Threshold Picture Guides)

Driving Questions Answered (Threshold Picture Guide)

Breaking a Horse to Harness: A Step-by-Step Guide

New Sensations for Horse and Rider: Introducing Voice Training

Sorry they may be links? I didn't mean them to be, I just copied and pasted the titles from my order summary and that is how they pasted. (sp)

I can't wait to start reading!

MajorClementine · Dec 5, 2010

Thanks for the books guys. Hey Kim they are links but that's A-OK with me. Makes things easier on me

I think I'm going to go with Breaking a Horse to Harness first and Mini School. Then I'll go from there. You guys are so helpful

hobbyhorse23 · Dec 5, 2010

MajorClementine said:
I think I'm going to go with Breaking a Horse to Harness first and Mini School.

I really love the mini school book and encourage you to order it but it's main focus is definitely not driving; in fact she's got the cart on Lancelot in a way that makes me go

.

I would strongly suggest you go ahead and purchase "The Essential Guide to Carriage Driving" as out of all the books listed, that one is the closest to exactly what you've asked for in terms of the harness parts, what they do and how to fit them correctly. Between that and "Breaking a Horse to Harness" you'd have a good start!

Leia