Thinking about Driving

[Rarah]

A friend of mine has offered to help train my horse to drive in the summer as a bit of a project.

Now, before we get too deep into this, what sort of carriage would she be able to pull? She's only 14.2, but well built clydesdale x.

My friend drives and has her own exercise cart etc and has a similar build/size horse, but obviously if it's something we enjoy I would need to buy my own equipment.

One of the reasons I ask is it might be something we would like to do as a family - would it be unreasonable to expect her to pull something that could hold 2 adults/2 kids?

[Esther.D]

A fit Shetland can carry two adults easy so two adults and two kids will be no problem for a chunky fit 14.2hh.

She would be able to pull practically anything, short of a road coach :D it just depends what you want to do with her.

For a novice horse it is best to start with either a two wheeler or something like the 'fun bug' which is a fourwheeler that has a low centre of gravity and cannot jackknife. http://www.bennington.co.uk/carriages/fun-bug-gallery.htm It has proved very popular and versatile and was what I was thinking for when I was looking for something to drive my 15.1hh shire X cob to that was not TOO pricey and was safe for a novice horse and could carry more of the family. If Wally's fourwheeler doesn't fit him (we have established a thriving swap shop here I think :D) then thats what I would go for...however as I am skint I was looking at this rip off copy (training buggy on here http://www.take-the-reins.co.uk/vehicles.php ) which is cheaper at £950 :D These are still a double seat with a back step but you can get a version from Bennington with more seats and they are larger than a two wheeler would be so have more space on the seat/backstep.

If your budget doesn't stretch this far then I think it'll have to be a two wheel exercise vehicle with a backstep.

Or of course a traditional vehicle such as a small waggonette but they tend to be pricer and less robust (unless you get a copy with steel wheels etc - really depends on your budget). I am assuming you are skint just because I always am but you might not be :D

[HorseWhisp3r3r]

I agree with what Esther says but will add one thing, If you use a two wheeler this puts more pressure on their back than a four wheeler which basically carries it's self. As you want to have 2 adults and two children a four wheeler would be more practical and nicer for your horse. I've never had trouble breaking a horse four wheeler if anything found that they preferred it as the shafts don't dig then in the neck as four wheelers have turn tables and two wheelers do not.

[Esther.D]

But a correctly balanced two wheeler should not put any pressure on the back (or very minimal occasionally if going over rough ground). The reason I suggested a two wheeler was stability - I am probably going to break Alfie in a four wheeler but I have been driving for 15 years and know the pros and cons of what you can and cannot do without risking a tip/jackknife if things go wrong.

[HorseWhisp3r3r]

i agree I've just found in the years I've been driving that four wheelers don't take it out of them so much.

[Esther.D]

I can't comment on that as my singles/tandems have always been in two-wheelers and only my pair in a four wheeler, however I can see where you are coming from and they are certainly becoming very popular on the driving trials circuit.

[Rarah]

A fit Shetland can carry two adults easy so two adults and two kids will be no problem for a chunky fit 14.2hh.

I am assuming you are skint just because I always am but you might not be :D

Thanks for the advice. You are right - I'm very skint, so am only "thinking" at the moment - that's all I can afford right now! ;) But at least I know what I can aim for

The first one on this link is similar to the one my friend has so would just "borrow" this for the time being. http://www.take-the-reins.co.uk/vehicles.php

Thanks

[Esther.D]

That'll do you fine to start off with. Have fun :)

[Libbyo]

I started by thinking. Now I drive much more than ride. Both me and Pinnochio love it. Cant wait to drive Questy.

My carriage I got from a local paper. A fab deal.

Libbyo :)

[HorseWhisp3r3r]

I had a two wheel Bellcrown that I did godness knows how many miles in, it was excellent I was able to take it apart myself ! I'm rubbish with things like that and fit it in my Fiesta !

[Esther.D]

Another vote for Bellcrown, their four wheelers are more expensive than my suggestions but you find them second hand - try carriage link or carriage sales (the links are on my pinned driving thread at the top of this forum).

Bellcrown does a good starter pack with a 2 wheeler and harness, whip, video for about £1k.

[Libbyo]

Mine is bellcrown. Only negative is the metal tyres, would have perrfered pnewmatics.

Libbyo :)

[Wally]

A friend has had Bellcrowns for years and bashed them aroung the HDT circuit. But she bought a brand new one 3 years ago and has only used it lightly and the paint on the wheels has flaked off dreadfully. I think in the last few years they are skimping with the paint.

But Bellcrowns have my vote on all other aspects.

I would aggree if you are going to carry 4 folk and 2 of them bing wriggling kids a 2 wheeler might put a bit more strain on their backs, but if you have balanced it properly there should be minimal weight on their back....and if I carried passengers who wriggled that much they'd be off and walkin! :D :D

[Libbyo]

A friend has had Bellcrowns for years and bashed them aroung the HDT circuit. But she bought a brand new one 3 years ago and has only used it lightly and the paint on the wheels has flaked off dreadfully. I think in the last few years they are skimping with the paint.

...and if I carried passengers who wriggled that much they'd be off and walkin! :D :D

Wally. Id agree with both of these coments. My paint is comming off, and I ban wrigglys on the carriage. Kids OK but wrigglys any age are off.

Libbyo :)

[Wally]

There's a lot of competitions that won't allow pneumatic tyres I HATE them, they are such a frap if you get a puncture.

I can have Fivla's little cart wheel off and a new inner tube in it in no time....but I'd rather not have to. I take the compressor with me to shows in case of a flat tyre...and a spare inner tube and all the tools needed for a tyre change.

[Gill]

Oh you will have some fun, I've really taken to driving lately.
I had the Bellcrown starter pack as a special surprise Christmas pressie a few years ago. I was totally speechless with joy I can tell you!

The Bellcrown is very good but I too have had to touch up paintwork and also be sure to get an adjustable balance. Mine doesn't have that and now I'm thinking of upgrading a bit its a must have.

[Rarah]

Can anyone recommend a good book or website with the basics?

I'm just going to start with lots of long reining in the arena which will be beneficial in any case and see where we go from there.

[Wally]

Between the Shafts is a great DVD Video. Jane MacInnes made it, you can get it off www.britishdrivngsociety.co.uk

Or direct from her at Maryculter Carriages, Aberdeen. She has a website Google it!

Any of the Allen photographic guides are good. and anything by Sallie Walrond.

Claire Wigmore does some good videos, have alook at the BDS site.

[Esther.D]

Claire Wigmore's breaking to drive DVD (can't remember the exact title) is excellent.

[chapman2006]

my 14.3 pure cob could pull nearly 3 times as much as that, so your horse should be able to pull that amount of weight easily.

[Denbenj]

There's a lot of competitions that won't allow pneumatic tyres I HATE them, they are such a frap if you get a puncture.

I can have Fivla's little cart wheel off and a new inner tube in it in no time....but I'd rather not have to. I take the compressor with me to shows in case of a flat tyre...and a spare inner tube and all the tools needed for a tyre change.

2nd that!! :D I have found horses struggle more also with pneumatic tyres, and ive found myself bouncing out of my seat!