[buddiebreeze]

Just wondering how you break a horse to drive? How long does it normally take to train, and does the horse have to have a certain physique/temprement?

[Carab]

I'm currently helping a friend break her Clydesdale gelding to drive. First we did some long reining with him. This got him used to listening to us behind him, etc. Then put a harness on him and long reined him with this on. After that we got him pulling tires of varying weight. Then last weekend she took him to a man who got him pulling a sled thingy. Once he's completly comfortable with that I think they're going to move onto a jinker (I think thats what its called).

We started long reining him early last October, but we have taken it pretty slow as we've both got other horses and commitments. I think it usually takes 1 or 2 months but I'm unsure.

Most horses can learn to drive but I think its prefered if they have a easy, trainable nature, with a strong shoulder.

[Xiphias]

It all depends on the horse's temperment, I broke my hunter gelding to drive in one month, but he was 17 years old when I broke him, and he had a bombproof temperment, and totally trusted me....my tb mare on the other hand, I have given up the thought of putting her to harness, she it just too hot tempered, even though she is a sweet horse, she blows up to easily....Cathy

[Arco]

I plan to break Smartie to drive this year - Ive just got to sell my western saddle first to raise the money for an exercise cart and a set of synthetic harness (yes, western saddles go for a LOT of money over here, lol). The only thing I'm particularly worried about with teaching Smartie is that she's not all that great about passing tractors yet, so I'll need to do a lot of work on this before I take her out on the lanes pulling anything!!

[Quick2Skip01]

Definitely long reining. That helps a lot. Work on long reining for awhile, and as far as when you first go to drive, and actually hook up a cart, make sure you have a few knowledgable people w/ you to walk beside the horse up front.

[minihorses4ever]

I think pretty much any breed can be taught to drive. Just make sure your horse has a calm temperment, or your in for a hot ride.

First, long rein with a halter and two lunge lines, and start introducing voice commands. I did this for a year with my gelding. Not that he needed it, but I figured the extra work would pay off. Before I started him in an actual harness he knew all his voice commands(listed below), and listened very well in the halter and lunge lines. I then long lined him in his harness for two months. Once he was giving to pressure, stopping, backing, (all of those he already knew how to do in the halter, by the way), and accepting the bit. I then hooked him up to the cart (without his bridle on, but all the rest of the harness), and walked him around. I want to state something here, though. I know of a lot of people who do not think you should ever lead the horse with the cart without his bridle on (which has blinders-- they can only see straight in front of them). Some horses may spook seeing something "chasing" them (the cart). My gelding has a VERY calm temperment, and I knew he would do better if he could see what was happening to him (I also did this in a small inclosed arena) . Anyway, back to the starting. After I walked him around with the cart, I changed him into his bridle, and I long lined him for about a week. I then added a feed sack the next week so he could get used to pulling weight, and then I finally drove him with me in the cart the next. He has done AWESOME. I started him in late November, and I can already trust him with my mom, dad, and brother (all of which are not experienced drivers).

Here are the commands he knows:
Walk On (to start)
Trot On (to start trotting)
Eaaaaasy trot (for a collected trot)
Extend (Whenever I want him to extend his trot.. I am still teaching him this one though)
Come around (to turn)
Over (still in the process of teaching him this one too.. It is to get him back onto the fence if he "drifts")
Back (for backing)
Whoa (for stopping)
Stand (to stand still quietly)
Eaaasy up (to slow down)

Quite a list, isn't it?

If you have any questions, PM me.

[UsaHrsRidr2006]

Well at my barn we do arabs...We do ground driving just for basic learning. Just make sure your horse is alright with something behind them...and wont kick at you. Also they need to be pretty calm. So like arabians on a regular drive NOT GOOD too spooky. But like average size horse wise quarter horses would be good because they are calm.

But i would suggest just start off ground training usuing a headstall w/ bit, driving reins, sursingle...and you..

learn "gee" for left and "ha" for right, and whoa to stop... When you say the words with the draw reins pull your horse that way so if you wanna go left...pull your left rein and say gee. Eventually you horse should learn..
"oh when she says Gee we go left..."


hoping this might help you out

[tbtrainer]

Wow mini, that is quite a list, I would add one more though... Muuuck that stall!!! Ha Ha

[luvtodrive]

I think it depends on the individual horse on how long it takes. Some are much more accepting of the cart and harness than others. Some horses just don't have it in them to ever be a carriage horse.

Do lots of long lining and get your voice commands down pat.Whoa and stand is the most important IMO.

Add you crupper and blinders and then start desensitizing them to noises behind and also being touched all over with blinders on.

Get a helper and add some fake poles for them to drag along.

Hitch to a sled or something so they can push to feel the tension on the breast collar(a person putting some tension on the traces works too).

Hitch but don't secure the cart and let someone bring the cart along with the horse as it moves.

Hitch the horse and drive with a helper along side with a lead rope. Do turns wide until the horse is accustomed.

Hold you breath and drive alone (In an enclosed area with helper there in case you get in trouble.)

The short version

[Xiphias]

Originally Posted by tbtrainer

Wow mini, that is quite a list, I would add one more though... Muuuck that stall!!! Ha Ha

And, clean your harness! Cathy