Driving Gear Question

[O So]

I would like to eventually train O So to drive! All I want to do for now is start teaching him to take a bit and eventually lead up to just walking behind him. I will worry about a cart later down the road! ( Oh and for you that read my post in the other forum, no, I'm not going to do the roller blade thing! LOL)

What do I need for just walking behind him and how do I make sure I get the right size? I would also like to watch some videos on training horses to do this sort of stuff, so if you have any suggestions on good videos, I would appreciate it!

 

[shorthorsemom]

I started cheap. I bought a surcingle on ebay for training. I bought a small pony bridle cheap and took off the noseband and put on a driving bit. I used two long lead ropes. All this after lots of ground work in halter only, on walk, trot, canter both directions on lunge line and stop and stand exercises in hand and walking all over the farm on foot and lots of spook training. I highly recommend getting an experienced trainer to work with you. Really helps alot to have somebody helping you that has been there and done that.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

Take some lessons with an experienced trainer before trying to ground-drive O So. It isn't that difficult but you're new to horses and will need some practice reading equine body language before attempting this as being able to anticipate problems is crucial to the success of long-lining. You have to be able to see when the horse is getting anxious, about to cut in towards you, backpedal, or spin and be able to act fast enough to prevent those attempts. That means knowing how to use a whip properly and hold good contact on the reins, something you really need an experienced driver to show you.

Leia

 

[RhineStone]

First, get the DVD set Teach Your Horse to Drive by Mary Ruth Marks. When you watch it, she will help you get the right equipment. Then, like was said above, get a good mentor. The more I learn regarding horse training and green people, the less I am likely to say, "Yeah, go ahead, do it yourself!" There is SO much to know and the professional training barns are FULL of horses that were screwed up by their unknowing owners. Trainers are then required to "undo" what the inexperienced person did. We are even considering sending our 2 yr. old out for pro. training even though we have trained a number of our own driving horses start to well-finished. We want her to be AWESOME, not just good, and she has that potential.

Even starting where you are with getting them to take the bit, first you need to know how big their mouth is, not only width but thickness as well. If you start bitting them wrong, you will have bitting problems for a LONG time. I can say go ahead and line drive with a couple of lead ropes, but unless you know how to wield the whip, you are going to have a challenge. Having a person lead the horse while you "drive" from behind will help.

And take some lessons with "finished" horses. That way you know how it is supposed to feel. I remember being about 12 yrs. old trying to train my own Western Pleasure horse, never having rode a good one. Once I got to ride a good one, it was a total "ah-ha" moment for me!

Myrna

 

[O So]

Thanks everyone!!

I would like to have help training O So! I just don't know to many mini people here! I also replied about this in my cart thread. Sorry for making two threads, I didn't plan on both turning into kind of the same subject line! LOL The stables I go to supposedly have mini people that drive there from time to time. I just haven't seen any yet! Course I have only been going there for a couple of months. I also know that they must drive their big horses somewhere around there too! I forgot to mention it in the other thread, but there is a driving cart leaned up against one of the walls there. So I am pretty sure at least some of the biggies are used to seeing the cart!

I am going to get the dvd set and go from there! I just wanted to kind of get O So acclimated to some of the gear that is involved in driving. I just need the gear to walk behind him. I don't want to even attempt a cart for a long time! Probably after I get some help with an experienced driver first!

Oh, I do know how to ride a horse. I know how to saddle and put the bridal on a horse! I used to cattle pen with my parents when I was a teenager! That was a lot of fun and would love to get into it again one day! It has been a long time since I have done any of this! I'm sure putting a bridal on will be like riding a bicycle. Should come back to me once I have a bridal with bit! I just need to make sure I get the right size bit!! That I have no clue on how to measure O So on.

Ok, now for O So. I am really shocked at how well behaved he is when it comes to new stuff! At least I think it is new to him! LOL I bought a bare back pad for him and I showed it to him and he was like, "what ever". Then I started to rub it on him and agian, no reaction. So I figured what the heck. I set it over his back! Next thing I know, I am cinching it around him. Then we are walking around the yard! He could care less about it being on him. I am hoping he will be that easy with everything else I train him to do! He even is real good about having the lead rope across his back! I have a little video of him walking down one of the trails. He figured he should lead for a while and I went along to see how he would do with me behind him!! It's pretty short, but it shows how easy going he is. I had to get my hair out of my eye once and you see the lead rope go up, then back down over his back. He doesn't even miss a beat!!



I really appreciate all your guy's help!

 

[targetsmom]

You don't need to confine your search for a mentor/driving trainer to mini people. I suggest finding a driving Club in your area and see if they have a member that could help you. We found a trainer nearby that has Morgans and she was a HUGE help to me. We joined a local driving club and most of the new members are mini owners. Our March clinic was full of minis and I learned a whole lot. Clinics are another great place to learn; you can usually just come and watch (audit) or bring you horse at ANY level of training and get one on one help.

Good luck!!

 

[O So]

Thanks, I will ask the lady in charge over at the stables, to see if she knows of any driving classes or people!

I was just hoping to get some of the gear to start introducing O So to it! I did order the driving DVD so when it gets here I will have a better clue at what to look for!!