Comment

Comment by Frances Tufts on June 23, 2010 at 8:07am

Interesting point Alison. We drive a pair with a 4 wheeled carriage of course but I prefer to drive a single in a 2 wheeler. I have drivine in the 4 wheeled vehicle but I am less confident in it unless I am on very even terraine ( of which there is not much around here!!). Of course with such hilly countryside, I only drive a vehicle with brakes. I save my 2 wheeled cart for gentler smoother drives when I visit friends.

Comment by Alison Plumbtree on June 23, 2010 at 7:56am

I would much prefer to drive in a 4 wheel vehicle. They are much more stable and it dosent put the weight onto the horses back as a 2 wheeled carriage does. That being said there really isnt anything wrong with a 2 wheeled vehicle. They are lighter in weight and some horses are better at starting with a light weight vehicle until they get used to pulling. I started my cob in a light 2 wheeled vehicle and now drive him in a 4 wheeled one.
A 4 wheel vechicle has less chance of tipping over as well...My boyfriend has tipped over twice in a 2 wheeled vechicle, once from making a sharp turn and once going over a tree root. I'm not saying that a 4 wheel one wont tip over, but its a little harder to do so.
Hope your having fun with your boy! Driving can be so much fun!!!
Alison

Comment by Brenda Gordon on June 10, 2010 at 3:33pm

I want to thank you for great comments for getting my horse started. I have been spending lots of one-on-one with him in the arena. We are coming along fine. He is listening now to gee and haw and we are doing cones down the centerline of the arena. He follows beside me, no halter and will go gee or haw and halt perfectly. My harness arrived from Wisconsin and I will be putting parts of it on him and doing our exercises. I like the suggestion of pulling different things and will let you know how we do.

Please comment on which is better/safer/easier to use 2 or 4 wheel cart.

If we start with a 2 wheel then move to 4 wheel is that best? I have been dreaming of a black 4 wheel cart and wondered about price. I saw one partially restored for $700, wooden wheels with steel bands, springs and one seat.

Hope to have a photo to show off Sunup BoBill, my Morgan buddy.

Comment by Alison Plumbtree on June 9, 2010 at 7:45am

Cool pic! Looks like you had fun!!

Comment by Frances Tufts on June 5, 2010 at 7:35am

Our Gypsy wagon trip last May_2010 We had a fabualous time, covered about 120 km in our covered wagons. The horses did an amazing job!

Comment by Alison Plumbtree on May 17, 2010 at 7:59am

Very cool Frances! Sounds like you had a great time. I cant wait to see some photos!

Comment by Frances Tufts on May 10, 2010 at 8:05am

Just returned from an amazing camping trip with our pair. We pulled a covered wagon in which we slept.; 5 days and 4 nights doing about 30 km per day! What a wonderful experience. Our hosts were experienced trail drivers and took us through some of the most beautiful scenery in Ontario. The horses did a terrific job tackling steep and long hills with no problems. They were fit to start, and even fitter after! If you ever have the opportunity to do one of these amazing adventures, you should go. I was very proud of our horses and the wonderful job they did. They looked pretty good too! Talk about the " little Iron Horses"!! They sure lived up to the name. I'll post photos in the next few days.

Comment by Bruce Hann on May 7, 2010 at 12:19am

I have a big grey percheron named Jake. I purchased him at an auction (first mistake). He was driven double by a Mennonite farmer (second mistake). It would appear he was abused early in his life, as he has trust issues with everything I try to do with him. When he came to me he was seriously under weight. After a year and a half his weight is up and he will allow me to groom him. I really like the Parelli methods for gaining his trust and we are making progress. I swear I could back him through a maze. But he will not let me get behind him and would sooner back away from pressure. He was very much a right brain intrevert when he first came. As he gains confidence in the pasture he now spars with the dominant gelding. At 18hh he is impressive and a little intimidating.
How do I get him to allow me to get behind him in order to start driving?

Comment by Helen Marioncu on May 6, 2010 at 10:16am

Combined Driving Prospect. Holsteiner/Hanoverian gelding, Landgraf grandson.
Bay, 17hh. 7 years old (2010), sound. Powerful, lofty mover. Harness broken and green broke to a vehicle. Also under saddle. Unflappable character.
$5,000.

Comment by Alison Plumbtree on April 26, 2010 at 8:00am

I have trained quite a few driving ponies and it does take close to a year before they are ready for the carriage. You want to make sure that they are ready for the carriage as it can be quite scarey and you really dont want an accident or you will have to start all over again. There have been a lot of good suggestions on this page. I have always started with a tire. It is very good for them to get used to pulling something. I also lunge with an empty windsheild washer container filled with rocks and I attach it to different parts of the harness so they get used to the bouncing and noise of it. Any part of your carriage could break one day and you dont need them scared of a banging or rattling sound. I have also used ground poles and attached them to the tugs on the harness so they get used to something like shafts. Take your time as all animals take to this differently. I've had some that have taken a while (and even one who we had to sell as a riding pony as there was no way she was going to drive, ever) and some that take to it so naturally. Most of all have fun and be safe!!

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