starting a 17 year old.

Giveitago · #1 5th Oct 2007, 11:32 AM

I have a fab Dales mare, typical pony paces, unshod with a heart and shoulder of steal.

She's coming back to me after a very leisurely, companion type loan after xmas. She has been having a few happy hacks whilst away, no schooling, no jumping etc. Other than that she looks well and is healthy but not particularly fit.

Question, at 17, do you think it is fair to ask her to start to drive from scratch if she hasnt been broken?

or, if we can determine- using a very experienced driver- that she has driven before, is it fair at 17 to ask her body to perform in this way given that she hasnt driven or been really fit for many years?

I would appreciate some views.

AlexNI · #2 5th Oct 2007, 01:40 PM

I'm no expert on driving, but I really can't see why you couldn't break her to drive if you take it slowly. As long as she's fit and healthy, sounds like a great idea!

Maybe start with lots of long reining in harness and then do the 'tyre dragging' thing and gradually build it up.

Esther.D · #3 10th Oct 2007, 10:29 AM

No reason why not - start slow and easy. My 22 year old won the cones class at the local show this summer at full gallop despite being very unfit and not having been driven regularly for months.

Giveitago · #4 10th Oct 2007, 12:24 PM

I tried to long rein her on Monday night- you should have seen the look on her face, talk about sucked a lemon

BlitheSpirit · #5 11th Oct 2007, 01:23 PM

My sister's pony is a 17 yr old welshxfell and we're thinking of training her to drive. We've asked a couple of professionals and they said it's not too late, so why not?

Peanut · #6 11th Oct 2007, 01:26 PM

There was a thread recently about a 17 year old who was doing xc for the first time.

Give it a try (driving that is!) and see how she manages.

Gurnosstud · #7 11th Oct 2007, 04:40 PM

I'd give it ago. I did try and put my 15 year old in last year but he is too set in his ways so I left him to what he's good at. We had no problem with the 9 year old however. I think its more a case of temperament than age.

Jobi-Wan Kenobi · #8 23rd Nov 2007, 04:57 PM

my 17yo mare would have withered up and died if she'd been put out to pasture. OK, so maybe not so drastic!! But I sold her to a jumping home so she was still in work as she was all round much happier working. She won everything going with her loaner in 2006!!

I say give it a go and the horse will tell you when enough is enough if you listen carefully enough :-)

Whatanejit · #9 23rd Nov 2007, 05:46 PM

Hey giveitago - did you find a home for your boy - sorry i lost track?

Dx

Giveitago · #10 24th Nov 2007, 09:56 AM

Dee,

No kept Harry, moved yards and just about to start working him again.

Hoping to try a novice dressage or clear round at long reach next year.

Hop all is well.

x x Summer x x · #11 24th Nov 2007, 10:14 AM

I'm going to try my coming up 13 yr old welsh. Shes never done anything but in hand , never ridden so its a whole new experience for her. She has been lunged and bitted and just started reminding her about long reining but she keeps going in circles so long road ahead yet lol

I think she will enjoy it though, a friend tried to break her for riding last year but she wasnt having it but she did like parelli games apparently

Wally · #12 24th Nov 2007, 01:29 PM

Have a go and see what happens. She'll let you know whether she wants to play or not.

Gimp · #13 24th Nov 2007, 01:33 PM

ditto..she how she takes it/takes to it... we compeated at national BHDTA with a 23 year old!!

..

jmillman · #14 25th Nov 2007, 05:54 PM

Get driving! As long as she is healthy it will give your pony a new lease of life! We broke my pony to drive at 15. He competed in driving at Horse of The Year Show the follewing year and he competed successfully until last year when he retired age 26!

Giveitago · #15 26th Nov 2007, 10:12 AM

Mny thanks for your replies.

Sh is coming back in January sometime- dates to be arranged. I'll do some regular hacking with her first and then progress to the long rein again.

I have a good friend who drives two suffolks that I will seek assistance from too.

Will update you all next year.

Gimp · #16 26th Nov 2007, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmillman

Get driving! As long as she is healthy it will give your pony a new lease of life! We broke my pony to drive at 15. He competed in driving at Horse of The Year Show the follewing year and he competed successfully until last year when he retired age 26!

ahh bless him!! well done!