Refreasher training, advice please

[Riverrose28]

We have a gelding that actually belongs to my 11 year old grandson. We've been showing him for three years now in halter and he does really well. Grandson now wants to go a step further any drive him. Hubby goes and buys a harness and an easy entry cart. This horse was trained to drive when we got him, what steps should I take to refreash his memory. Pleas keep in mind I'm elderly and can not run behind when ground driving, but can walk fast, and slow trot. I do have a round pen, and have been riding since 1978 so I still have soft hands as far as the mouth goes, but must admit with all my other ailments I won't be able to work him too long on the ground. We also have a large indoor with a round pen, and a driving, riding ring outside, so that won't be a problem. How would I know he is ready for hook up to the cart? Would it be when he walks, trots and whoas on command? I had someone show me how to attach the cart, but since I'm not young anymore I want to stay safe, and yet want a safe horse for my granson, if he took a spill it might discourage him from driving. Finances are tight now. or I would hire somone, and advice would appreciated, since I won't be starting him back until Fall when the weather is cooler.

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

If you have physical limitations and concerns it might be best to enlist the help of a second person (perhaps the nice man who rushed out to buy a cart and harness?) to get him back between the shafts. First I would ground drive until I was satisfied he had some stearing and brakes. Then I would have person #2 follow behind pulling the cart ( even better if he or she can encourage the cat to rattle plenty) while the horse was ground driven. Once that was nothing of concern to the horse I would hitch him and have person#2 at the horses head with a leaad line while I drove until I was comfortable that the horse was not worried about the cart or weight. After that I would just spend time driving him/her starting with lots of walking and eventually trotting. You will know if the horse feels solid enough to allow your grandson to drive it.

Oh and can I add... Please were a helmet ...one of our club members was driving her young gelding in a clinic this weekend and the horse who had never shown any inclination to stress had a moment, exploded and when all was said and done the horse was cut from the harness (horse is fine, harness is not so much) and the club member has a broken shoulder. What she doesn't have is a concussion... her helmet will need replacing but it saved her head(the first part to impact the arena when she was thrown from the cart) and she will heal in a few weeks.

 

[susanne]

Since a child will be driving him, I'd want to have a trainer give the horse a test drive and, if possible, a refresher course. Do you have any friends from the show world who would be willing to trade a few hours of their driving expertise for your expertise in halter class, tack, or something else?

 

[Riverrose28]

Thanks for all the advice, think I'll use a little of both. We do have a trainer in Penn. so maybe I'll save a little from each retirement check to send him up for 30 days after show season, then get hubby to put some more miles on him. He was trained by a pro when we got him, but really needs to be refreashed. thanks again guys love you!