driving and jumping. compatible or not?

[dieseljoe]

I have a four year old cob who has been driving about two years now and was broken to ride last year. He is young, but fairly sensible and I am having very little in the way of problems with him. I tried him over some trotting poles one day in the arena which ended up in me tryng him over a small jump and he seemed to love it, he was very enthusiastic and jumped no problem.

People have said however, that a horse who drives shouldn't jump as this may cause problems whilst driving if the horse were to spook etc. I was just wondering if anyone could let me know of their experiences and perhaps offer some advice. :confused:
My cob DJ adapted well to riding, although flexion and cornering are things we are still working on! and he seemed to enjoy jumping so much, (and me too! :D ) but my husband and I do love to drive as well.
So a little bit of a dilema!
SARAH

[Miriam]

Sarah shame you did not see Rhi jump. That to me would have answered your question. She jumps well at home its when you take her places to jump


In fact take a look at Laura's post with the pics in of the other day. There is one there of her jumping


Yes she is a driving pony too :D

[tazzle22]

well Taz did jumping with my daughter and has driven for over four years . not tried to jump anything yet while I am driving !

[iloveshearer]

Scally is a driving horse and can jump, although his tecnique (sp?) is rather interesting!!! :p he did try and jump over a mini bridge in the cones the other day though!!

[Miriam]

well Taz did jumping with my daughter and has driven for over four years . not tried to jump anything yet while I am driving !


Nor me although Rhi has aimed for a few jumps but never went over them. We are restricted in the arena as to area and sometimes if the others have a jump up we tend to head for them. Good job I've taught her to be a quick turner :D

[Wally]

No reason why he shouldn't jump, a lot of our driving Shetlands jump, I have never been in a situation where I was in fear of going over somthing with the cart on the back.

In the old days a lot of carriage horses would go hunting as a second string to their bow.

[iloveshearer]

Scally isn't very balanced in his cantering or jumping, because he is more of a carriage horse, so his jumps are very awkward.

[dieseljoe]

Thank you I will show my hubby all the replies and he might be happier aboutt me teaching DJ to jump. He was yoked up today for the first time this year and went like a dream, even turning in a fairly tight circle to get through two gates to get into the arena. very pleased with him. will get a more recent pic of him driving to share with you all as he is considerably bigger than in the older photos I've posted. :)