Starting driving (horses)?

Question

im thinking of teaching my horse to drive. neither ofus have any eperience, but i really want to try to train him (if driven a couple horses before and it was fun). about how much would it cost for all the equipment needed? new or used. links to a beginers set would be GREAT! it doesn't need to be fancy at all, but good enough for 4H shows. thanks in advance!

also-any basic info on driving is appreciated! =]

Answer 1

this method is much easier if he has basic riding training and understands cues such as tug back means back up, tug to the side means turn that way. i have never used it with an untrained horse but it would presumably stil work although it would take much longer. I used this method to teach my mare to pull a small cart behind her.

i would start with your horse in a halter/bridle and with reins over his head. if you stand next to him gently tug until he turns his head that way and then takes a step in that direction. once he can do this in both directions then hes ready for more complex stuff. i would suggest getting two very long but rather light ropes. attach them instead of reins with one on each side. i would take a short piece of rope or something and tie it over his back to both of the ropes to hold the ropes up so they dont drag. standing far enough behind him you can't get be easily kicked, gently tug on one side until he turns his head that way and then takes a step. continue until he will easily turn to both directions. then you can begin teaching him to stop and go and such. obviously if he knows basic riding skills he will have a much easier time learning this because he should already understand that to pull back, for example, means stop. it shouldn't take long for him to connect some of these riding cues with you behind him. once he understands the basics you can start teaching him more proper methods and start using driving equipment.

as always, take it slow, don't ever rush as that causes more problems than it solves. don't ever move until he is completely confident with the skill he just learned. if you aren't confident or encounter problems please ask a professional to help you.

hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 2

Here is a good site to read.

http://www.morganhorse.com/pdf/drivingbo...

Answer 3

I'm still going to tell you the  preverbial 'you need a mentor or trainer' through this..

But for now line driving, everywhere, at shows, on trails, you just ground drive that horse until he is solid in lines, knows the cues and is responsive to all voice commands and stands quietly in lineup.

Driving is much more dangerous than riding and there are so many things that you really have to plan for.

The things after line driving are desensitizing to harness flopping and not seeing behind with noises bellowing, and then eventually to first hookup.

If you want, tell me your state and i can  maybe find drivers on the ADS website to help you too.. You really want to do this right and safe for you and your horse and then after your first one, practice more on equine #2

Answer 4

You really should watch closely ,and take every opportunity to first study and learn horse craft.Horses in harness pulling,or pushing--whichever your idea of force is satisfied is much different then the balance needed when riding.One must understand the mechanics of draft.Hills can be very dangerous.Some carriages should have brakes.The collar must be fitted just right,to prevent Sweeny or other collar galls.If you are unskilled with draft horses or light horse ,you must go very slowly and carefully so not to injure the horse.Questions about breaking horses to harness have been asked previously on answers.You should review them.The collar about $50,size matters ,the hames about $75,then lines and harness about $250.