Question:
Driving training tips?
2010-02-24 13:32:08 UTC
I recently got a AMHR miniature horse gelding, he is 11 and 33.5 inches tall. He is a Florida bred mini and was in Florida until 3 years ago when he was brought up north and was gelded 3 years ago. I plan on training him to drive. I bought a cart and harness from his previous owner that fit him( what the man I bought him from said it fit him, but I really don't know).Also the man I bought him from said he had been harnessed and hooked up to cart last summer and was doing fine with that. I am currently ground driving him and plan on doing that for a month before even hitching him to a cart. He has very good ground manners and is broke to ride. He is safe as can be and I could climb under him. I want to show him in a driving class in July, but I need to get a training plan in order and I am having trouble with that because I have never trained a mini to drive. Any tips or advice appreciated on driving. I am going to try to find a trainer in my area, but money is tight.

Summer Photo in Florida Possibly:
https://uwc.webmail.optimum.net/attach/blackieright.jpg?sid=&mbox=INBOX&uid=3781&number=4&filename=blackieright.jpg

Current Photos (He is under weight under his winter woolies, he is bony.
http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs192.snc3/19943_108418102504734_100000096339712_217226_3434406_n.jpg

http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs192.snc3/19943_108418102504734_100000096339712_217226_3434406_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc3.fbcdn.net/hs192.snc3/19943_108418115838066_100000096339712_217230_5847185_n.jpg
Three answers:
zakiit
2010-02-24 14:24:28 UTC
Poor little thing. He could do with some worming as a precaution and feeding. He might also appreciate a blanket. He is probably not coping well with the winter, coming from Florida. What is he doing with such a huge saddle on him? I am not sure that minis should actually be ridden, and certainly not with that saddle. It will do damage to his kidneys and there are few muscles in any horse's loins, but he has none at all.



I would also get a harness maker/fitter to come and check that the harness actually fits him.



The cart needs to be as light weight as possible. The shaft should be the height of his shoulder point and should come no further forward.



When the harness is properly fitted you can start ground driving, first with the traces knotted and pulling nothing. Practise turning, stopping, starting and listening to your voice aids and the whip on his shoulder. He should never be hit with it. It is more a guide, but never drive without a whip. It could be a life saver.



You need to drive with your left hand and contrary to what they do in cowboy films you should not slap the reins on his rump. The long reins will also cause a lot more pressure on the bit than the riding bridle. To get an idea what it feels like for the pony stand holding the bridle with the bit against your bare shin bone and have someone hold and pull the reins (do the curb chain up around your leg if there is one!) It can hurt! This should give you some idea why you need to be sympathetic with your hands.

What you should do when starting is to shorten the reins gently which gives the pony the idea that he is about to be asked to do something different and then ask him verbally to walk on.



Once he is happy with moving off in front of you and is responding to your voice and reins and whip, enlist the help of a couple of friends and get them to hang on the traces as if they are the cart. They need to try to keep the weight even and allow the pony to pull them as you give the commands.



Then, take the cart, put the shafts into the round tugs on the saddle but do not do up the breeching or traces. If there is a panic you need to be able to release him quickly. Have another person hold the cart to keep up with him. This is when it could get interesting. He needs to be reasonably happy with the sound of the cart bumping along behind him, and the sound of the wheels. You need to drive him at first in straight lines, then try turns - big arcing turns. Turning with a cart, because of the rigidity of the shafts can be a bit scary and difficult for a horse or pony who will have to learn to do a sort of side step in order to turn. Do not pull too much on the left or right rein as the horse or pony could get his neck injured on the shaft.



Once he is alright with all the above you can do up the traces to the cart and the breeching. Have someone lead him for a few minutes and walk along with the cart yourself. After a few turns round the field the leader can let him go but walk along with him and you can get in the cart, but be prepared to make a quick exit should things go wrong.



Practise starting, stopping, turning etc and once he can do all these things you should be good to go. When you do venture out on the roads, you would do well to get your leader to go with you to reassure him if he gets a bit worried. And you would do well to keep a set on "L" plates on the cart so that drivers will know to give him a wide berth!



Keep going back to practise in the fields and set up cones or something fairly light weight to practise your accuracy on turning and driving straight.



Because he is so small, do not overload the cart and you do not say if you have breast collar or full collar, but he would be much happier in the breast collar as it is less likely to restrict his breathing.
?
2010-02-24 14:15:23 UTC
As you feel he is confident with ground driving, ask someone to pull a cart first in front of the mini, and let him get used to 'chasing' it. Gradually allow the helper and cart to fall behind, first at either side, then behind the mini. This should let you know if he has any issues about the "monster chasing him". By the time he is OK with the cart behind him, and with blinders if you use them, he should be ready to drive. Do lots of backing and sidepassing, so he'll be ready to do complex maneuvers. You could also rig up 'shafts' for him to get used to that sensation. A pair of PVC pipes, lashed together at the back as a travois, will suffice. If you think you'll get/train more minis, you could get plumbing fittings and make a set of false shafts with 3 sides, set at the width of the real ones *where they touch the horse* - not the width at the cart body.



Make sure you have absolute control through this training process - if horse starts to get spooked then gets loose with harness, shafts, and/or cart attached, it can be a real wreck in a heartbeat!



Enjoy the drive!
2010-02-24 18:16:03 UTC
ok you asked for tips and here they come.. don't ride that horse. don't buy a horse that you want to drive without having the owner drive for you first and show you how it does.if you want to drive that horse get out in a big field harnessed have someone hold the traces and see what the horse does if it does ok then put more weight on the traces .if you don't know much about driving horses find someone that does, most people that i know would love to help you get into working with horses ..don't be afraid to ask for help .i have worked with Percheron's and Belgium's for years and like it when young people come around and ask questions.good luck .just think about what you do so the horse don't get hurt


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