Calling all drivers!

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Comment by Jennifer Moore on November 10, 2009 at 7:00pm

Hi there. Saw this group and thought I'd join. I have never driven, but am very keen to learn how and to eventually have a horse at home that can be driven. Just interested in pleasure driving for recreation, although the Combined Driving looks like fun!!! I do have a very sensible Clyde x mare I would love to have trained to drive one day. Just not sure where I can take driving lessons etc. I am in Southern Ontario near Schomberg/Palgrave. I'd love to hear from anyone in the area who might know where I could learn to drive.

Also, does it confuse them going back and forth between riding and driving?
Thanks in advance!

Comment by Alison Plumbtree on September 21, 2009 at 8:01am

Hello Kristen,
A lot of our events of OCDA are held at Glencameron Farm which is in Limestone (just outside of Guelph). There are a handful of minis that compete in the CDE's and they are so awesome to watch! Its amazing to watch those little guys go! I'm not too sure about any clubs that are in the Niagara Region but you can look up Tri County driving clubs and COPDA ...You can go on the Ontario Combined Driving Association website and there are links to other driving clubs...
Alison

Comment by Kristen Smith on September 16, 2009 at 10:50am

Hi, im fairly new to driving. i have been driving miniature horses for a little over a year now and i have shown pleasure driving as well. Unfortunately my Miniature Horse gelding has out grew the mini height limit of 38", so he cannot be shown with our club. i was considering doing CDE with him. i was wondering what the competition is like with miniature horses (well he is now a Canadian Show Pony, 38.5" tall and still growing). also, where are the CDE events &/or associations located in Ontario? i am from the Niagara Region and was curious if there is any driving clubs in that area?

Comment by Alison Plumbtree on August 27, 2009 at 7:53am

Thats great! I know Sue Mott as we show with her quite often. She's very nice (and so is her husband Ken) and a great driver!

Comment by Jan on August 26, 2009 at 10:16pm

Started driving two years ago and love it! Used to ride western/english. Horse trained by Sue Mott, Thorah Farm in Essa Township - great lady and fabulous trainer! Also drive for the Simcoe County Carriage Driving Association for the Disabled. Great kids!

Comment by Karen T on July 28, 2009 at 3:31pm

Thank you so much Alison. This mare has the most calm, cool and willing attitudes. She was the one who taught my husband to ride 3 years ago (his first time on a horse was at age 60). With his aging knees and she being 20-I thought they might make a great driving team. He can still enjoy her into his 70's.....? I have double lounged her and have started pushing her out from behind, so my next step is to try her in harness. I will take it slow but I am sure I will have many questions as I go.

Comment by Alison Plumbtree on July 24, 2009 at 6:04pm

That great that you want to continue with your mare as she gets older and teaching her to drive can be very rewarding.
The only thing I must say is that she needs to be quiet. Not all horses like to drive (I think its one of the hardest jobs for a horse to do as they are quite restricted in how they move). I have found out this the hard way! I have trained a few ponies to drive and found that some take it much better then othersl As long as she is quiet and doesnt mind being alone it will not be too hard to teach her to drive. I always start my ponies under saddle first, which she is broke so you already have step 1 down! I suggest lots of line driving and getting her used to wearing blinkers (it might take a few times for her to get used to the bridle).
If you have any other questions on where to start feel free to ask and I will gladly help out as much as I can.
Alison

Comment by Karen T on July 24, 2009 at 5:53pm

Just joined your wonderful group - I have a wonderful willing 20 year old mare who carrys my husband around. As she gets older she won't be able to comfortably hold his weight and was wondering how difficult it would be to teach her to drive..... Anyone have any comments? Thanks, Karen

Comment by Barbara Sky Horse on July 7, 2009 at 7:19pm

You're a doll Alison, Thanks so much!!
I'm VERY VERY Certain I'm going to have LOADS of questions about Combined Driving ... just as soon as I know enough about it to have an intelligent question to ask ;-)
~ Barby

Comment by Alison Plumbtree on July 6, 2009 at 7:54am

Welcome Barbara! That's great that you are getting back into driving. I'm on the Ontario Combined Driving board so if you have any questions about our shows let me know...We have one coming up in a couple of weeks that has dressage and cones in the morning and a mini marathon (about 5km) in the afternoon. Its out by Guelph (I dont know where you come from, but hopefully its not too far for you to come).
I also really beleive in ground driving and basic ground work before you start to drive. I have seen many accidents that could have possible been avoided if there was a little more training done on the ground first. Driving is great, but it can also be a little scarey if your horse isnt ready yet. I have a 3 year old cob that I'm training that I cant wait to drive but I'm not pushing him because I dont want to have any major problems with him. I've done a lot of ridden dressage shows and line shows with him so he gets to see many places before I start his driving career. I've also done a ton of line driving and he's pulled a tire and I've tied poles on him so he gets used to thing rubbing his sides (like the shafts will be when he's driving).
If you have any questions about combined driving let me kjnow and I will try to answer them as best as I can.
Alison

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