Long reining with a view to breaking to drive....

[Midnight_Ashes]

I wasn't sure if this should go in driving or training of the horse so once again I will cop out and let the mods decide

Truffs is going to be going back out on the long reins over winter with a view to breaking him to drive at some point next year (or whenever time/finances/maturity allow!) so the question is, should I be long reining as normal or should I be doing something different? I currently long rein him in his snaffle bridle with a roller and elastic side reins. Should I be thinking of getting him a driving bridle with blinkers so he gets used to it?

Any hints/tips/advice welcome

[Dannii5691]

I don't bother with blinkers !!

[Wally]

If you start with blinkers you must stick with them, if he's happy and relaxed enough to go without them try without. You can always stick blinkers on if he does not settle in draught without.

If you want to show you might get funny looks in the show ring, some judges are okay some are rabid.......you get to know who to turn out in front of blinkerless.

Otherwise, keep going long reining as you are, all he needs is a forward thinking brain and body to be a good driving 'oss.

[Dannii5691]

June does the whole tyre thing very well. We have it to a T. We also do a lot of de spooking (although after our last adventure you wouldn't think she had been in a cart before! Lots of 2 legged and sideways action!) and walk across scary surfaces, trot under bridges (big issue at first especially with shoes on!!) practise sideways on occasion, walk in a straight line (this has become an issue! To busy wanting to go fast means going any which way but straight!)

She suddenly sounds like a bad candidate! In her defence has been on box rest for 4 month!

get him used to a crupper. June had mega objections at first, and something round his back legs. I have some knackered bits of harness collecting dust. No good for driving but if you want to dress him up your welcome to borrow them!

Santa bringing me cart and new harness for Xmas if you want to borrow!

[Wally]

It's a good idea to get them used to all manner of straps dangling and dragging on the floor too. Anything to de sensitise them to flappy staps.