[GrayArab]

We are considering buying a yearling haflinger and were wondering when could we break him to drive? Is it like riding at age 3?

[harli36]

You can start a little earlier since the horse isn't carrying weight on his back. I would say 2 years old, with very light work. Taking the same precautions you would with a riding horse. Like no lunging etc. Isn't it easier to pull a child on a sled behind you than it is to give that same child a piggy back ride?

[CANDYGIRL]

I agree, you can start younger, I think 2 is a good age. Start with the basics obviously like voice commands on the lead rein, manners etc, mouthing, then move onto long reining, and a good thing I did with Mouse, was to get him to drag an old tyre behind him in the paddock, harness up.

I also agree that lunging should be kept minimal, causes alot of strain on young legs.

Long reining on the roads, with a more experienced horse in front also helps.

I had great fun hope you do too

[Idrivetrotters]

It is good to start a halfdinger oops halflinger (my aunt had a team and they were little bundles of mischief) at age 2, it is easier pulling than carrying. Start with leading and having him to whoa consistantly. Than introduce him to harness and bridle. The bridle should be closed (blinders) to start a baby with, than you can gradually open them up if they show they are confident enough and not always wanting to look. Than after a couple of days of leading with the harness and bridle on, you can start ground driving. I ground drive my yearlings 2-3 days at the most, just enough for them to understand turns and stop. Than I hook them up and I have another person with me on a third line hooked to the cavesson (racing halter in standardbred racing terms) and that is an emergency brake, the person can jump off and help control the horse if you have any problems. I usually keep my third line victim I mean helper with me for at least a week or two depending upon the horse. Driving is a lot of fun and helps to develop you into a well rounded horseman.

[probarrelracer]

Sometimes you can start a little younger. Yoy can teach the basics, like walk, stop, back etc. without having them pull anything. All of my yearling QHs are taught to be driven from the ground. I do not have them pull anything, but I can drive them around the pastures while walking behind. That way, when they are 2, They can already rein when the time comes to hop in the saddle.