driving

Gill · #1 28th Jul 2001, 03:20 PM

Anyone else learning to drive? I have had two lessons so far using a schoolmaster pony and it is great fun. My own pony has been broken for driving and I can't wait to start with her. Have to get some harness though- oops more horsy things to spend on!

Wally · #2 28th Jul 2001, 04:52 PM

When you do get harness get really good quality, it will last you for ever! Have fun, good luck.

Moonlightrider · #3 28th Jul 2001, 11:43 PM

Driving's fun! Most of the horses at my barn drive, and we have two harnesses and tons of carts. We also drive the kids around at camp, so I get plenty of experince at jumping out of the way!

Tracy A. · #4 29th Jul 2001, 05:37 PM

Hi,

Yes I am a driver; I have a female Shetland and a female Arab-Welch cross. Both are trained to drive. My husband drives the Arab X and I drive the Shetland. Yesterday we joined our local driving club for a play day. We set up obstacles and had a “moc” show, it was loads of fun.

I also drive my llamas!!

Tracy A.

Wally · #5 29th Jul 2001, 05:46 PM

We train Shetlands to drive, it adds value to what would otherwise end up as a garden shed pony, We also drive "Fat cob", Fjord and Haflinger.

I've always fancied goat driving! Frances has 5 of the little devils, the two Anglo Nubians would look great in pairs!

danny the friesian · #6 2nd Aug 2001, 07:27 PM

Hi

Glad to hear you are enjoying the driving it is a great way to relax

Miriam · #7 3rd Aug 2001, 09:44 AM

I drive. Learned when I had a bad fall off my friends horse and could not sit in the saddle. Asked her to teach me to drive. Rhi has just been rebroken into driving so I have to buy new harness and sell the old cart. As I have the use of my other friends cart and harness the girl who taught me to drive is coming to my yard to drive her in two weeks time as she cannot drive now due to her drive and ride horse been out on loan competing. She is contemplating bringing her other horse back into driving.

suki · #8 19th Aug 2001, 04:51 PM

I drive too. I have a bad back and so dont ride anymore. At the moment I have 2 dartmoors that drive single, tandem and will go pair but not very good. We are just waiting for our new cobs to arrive as well, they drive as a pair and have also been in a team - but that is a bit high powered for me! It would be nice to speak to other drivers

Wally · #9 19th Aug 2001, 07:41 PM

I used to drive two Haflinger stallions together. Father and son. Never done tandem though, Got two Fjords now who are destined for pairs. Stallion and mare. Yes you can drive stallion and mare together, the same as you can drive two stallions together! No rules, just do what suits you!

I started driving due to accidents when riding, got a dodgy back too, so I now ride Icelandics ( tölt is so comfy), and drive the trotty Fjords.

suki · #10 20th Aug 2001, 05:14 PM

maybe you could put an icelandic on the sunniva for me to try, Wally

Wally · #11 20th Aug 2001, 07:12 PM

I'd love to, but sadly all ours we cannot do without at the moment! If you do get a shot on one you'll be bitten by the bug and you'll end up with lots!

Tölt for a bad back is amazing, you have to try it!

floppy · #12 20th Aug 2001, 09:36 PM

i woudl love to learn to drive..im pestering my cousin to harness up her two little ponies

and take me out at least as a passenger..but she doesnt have time

and the haflinger i ride is used for driving but im never around when the owner goes out with her..
be careful i fyou get an icelandic..hehe as waly said you may end up with a whole bunch of them!! i have nightmares over that as i am going to buy one and my parents are looking for a house with fields and stables to rent out and i can just see icelandic horses popping up all over the place

i cant afford though to have driving lessons myself

Cathy Reynolds · #13 8th Oct 2001, 07:42 PM

Wow, this driving is a lark. Just come home from Swingletree (John Parker's place) after my second lesson. I can now master the right hand movements AND the whip, as well as the left, and was much heartened to be told I had gentle hands and good anticipation of hazards. Had a terrific drive out on country roads - quite fun as it was 'dustbin day' and very windy.

John (Chairman of British Driving Society) has made and fitted a proper swingle tree to our training buggy today. It needs some more paint and new rubber footmats then I shall bite the bullet and try Benny out properly. He is long-reining beautifully in harness (except going past horses in fields if they whinny and trot/canter/gallop alongside him!).

10 yr old Hannah is booked in for a driving lesson during half-term so she learns tacking up properly, and how to be my 'groom'.

SweetHillsGurly · #14 10th Oct 2001, 12:33 PM

i love driving. my old instructor was training one of the ponies, let me help. actually, my first in control horse experience was when i was five, we went to the amish country in penn, and i got to drive! i had had pony rides before that, but never being in control lol. and my mom says we can get minis soon! so then i can drive them....