Which Mini To Use For Driving

[MountainWoman]

If you could only chose one mini to send for driving training who would you chose and why? I'm debating between a 28.5" 3 year old gelding who is a a very busy kind of horse and an older mare who is 34" and has just been used as a brood mare all her life before she came to me. She's very sweet and willing and calm.

Thoughts?

 

[Becky Horat]

A "calm" attitude would be my first choice. Also height is a factor. I like the bigger ones, in most cases. Although there are some smaller ones that pull just fine too. But attitude is extremely important for a driving horse, especially if you'll be drivig around traffic or on trail rides, etc.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I've had the small one and the larger one. The small one pulled fine, but the larger ones are more fun. The stride of the small one is so short that you can feel his movement while driving. The larger horse has a good stride that makes the vehicle more comfortable. But temperament would be the deciding factor. Just because the little one is lively and seems like he needs a job, doesn't mean he would be more pleasureable to drive. Choose the one that would make the best driving horse and make size second in importance. That would be my advice for the investment.

 

[studiowvw]

Calm and not too tiny!

It is much more rewarding if you are not fighting their natural tendencies.

 

[MountainWoman]

Thank you!! That was very helpful.

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

It depends on many factors. Do you have any driving experience so if the smaller one is a handful you will be ok with that? Just how old is the 'older' mare? What will you use for a vehicle and what kind of terrain will you drive over? What type of driving do you want to do, show, just for fun around the neighbourhood, CDEs? Even how much you weigh may affect the choice of driving horses. All things being equal I too prefer the taller horses as driving horses but I have a 28" mare that I started last year who is really a very happy driving horse,brave and willing and a lot of fun to drive. The drawback is I like to do cross country/trail driving and sometimes I must choose my route based on her size and what may be too much for her with my weight in the cart.

 

[Rhondaalaska]

I would go with the 34 " mare

She is calm and is a good cart size

You could always do in hand jumping with the little guy

Or liberty his energy would be good for that

 

[Dreamer]

I would go with the bigger mare. To me temperment is first and her temperment seems like she will be more of a pleasure to drive. I also agree too that the bigger ones are more fun to drive. She wins in both categories.

 

[MountainWoman]

Thank you everyone. There's so much to think about but after reading all your posts, I'm going to go with my older mare who is 8 years old.

 

[Rhondaalaska]

Let us know how it goes.

Pictures when you can

 

[paintponylvr]

looking forward to hearing how you do.

I started an 18 & 19 yr old broodmares in 2010. One had never really even been "halter broke", tho could be caught and vetted or have hooves done w/o a fight. The other, tho she'd been handled and shown as a youngster AND had pics taken on a leadline with a saddle and youngster on her back - was very upset by most movement, noises and strange equipment (girth? breeching? Can you say BUCK?)... They are both great little driving mares now - single, pair (carts and wagons) and with another mare as 3 abreast - pulling farm equipment.

We all love photos here.

 

[Jules]

I just started an older mare myself. I got her believing she was 6-7yo, but turns out she is more likely early teens. My equine vet says she has foaled before. Her history is unknown, but her steadfast nature shines through.

Whoever made up the saying 'you can't teach an old dog new tricks' was way off. lol. I think if the horse has a sound attitude then that is the most important thing. Heck, I was somewhat of a retired broodmare myself when I took to driving and I go alright too

My older mare has had two drives so far and is a real pleasure to drive, I hope that your older girl turns out equally as fun.

 

[targetsmom]

One of the minis we are training with the 4-Hers (another thread) is a 13 (?) year old broodmare who has had 9 pregnancies, which include several driving minis already. Another of the ones we are training is her 3 year old son (gelding). She was shown AMHA as a yearling and has been handled quite a bit but this was somewhat of a shock to her. Like, "what do you mean I have to do something other just eat and make babies?" She is coming around though and shows promise!