Driving my Shetland for pleasure around the farm… do I really need to use a closed bridle?
2 ways of looking at it. I have a Shetland that I drive around the farm and I use blinkers ALL the time on him. Keeps his focus on what’s ahead of him as he would like to sometimes play. He is a ‘steady Eddy’ as in almost anyone could drive him, he’s quiet, and most of the time you practically have to beat him to keep him going. He’ll turn around and look at you in the cart, like ‘are we done yet?’ so he knows I’m there, but I’d never drive him in open bridle.
On the other hand I have a youngster I’m training to drive and she is much better with an open bridle (right now anyway) She doesn’t mind seeing the cart following her, which is the biggest reason we usually use the blinkers, and in fact prefers to see what is going on around her. Altho I have noticed with her, as well, she tends to focus more on her job when the blinkers are on, than off. She will be wearing them more and more as she gets more comfortable with driving.
So I’d say it depends on your pony. Do you drive now with open bridle? Is he fine with it? If you haven’t tried it, I would not do it.
Thanks for your thoughts!
My friend and I share the pony, Pete. I had started him and always drove him with a closed bridle with his old harness. I then ordered an new harness and the bridle is bigger and doesnt seem very comfortable, plus he had tiny ears and a huge forelock, so I worried the bridle might come off.
I discussed this with my friend, and she drove him yesterday in his riding bridle. She said he went fine, wasn’t bothered by the cart, and even seemed to do better turning, being able to see.
So that is why I asked. I assume, if we want to show him, we should use his driving bridle, but I wasn’t sure, for pleasure around the farm, if it mattered to have the blinders or not.
If the bridle on your new harness does not fit, you should try to see if you can exchange it or exchange pieces.
There are also many things you can do to try to ensure that the bridle will not come off.
- gullet strap between the noseband and the chin strap - - under the chin
- braid some hair from forelock with some of the mane behind the crown - -over the crown to hold it in place
- braid some twine into the mane and tie it around the bridle
IMO the crowns of driving bridles are stiffer than riding bridles because of the extra leather for the winker stay, so they dont sit down on the crown as closely - so try to work the crown to soften it up, or remove any excess and non-functional leather overlays
As far as driving with or without blinkers - it is a perpetual debate.
I personally would not do it, but I have been indoctrinated that way
I dont buy the theory that the horse will freak if he sees the cart behind him. I do beleive that it helps him focus on his job and cuts down on the peripheral distractions.
You do not “have” to have blinkers to show in driving, but depending on your locals, you may spend a lot of time explaining or justifying it so its just easier to use blinkers
Another option if your driving bridle just does not fit well would be to get a blinker hood to put on over your riding bridle.
just curious - but does anybody make blinker hoods small enough for the shetland??
otherwise its a great option
You can get real blingy here with some hoods…
But supposedly their small will fit a mini with minimal tweeking from some mini friends… So perhaps with a slightly larger shetland, it might fit, or they do make them custom.
I Second Blinker Hood ~ LaSalle sells them ~
I say YES closed bridle or Blinker hood added to Open bridle ~
www. LaSalle ~ sells blinkers to fit a shetland…
Yes, you can find blinker hoods for a Shetland (use em on Hackney ponies all the time). I would think any major ASB/saddleseat shop would have them (World Champion, LaSalles, Fennells, Radon, Corcel, etc).
Herron’s Tack
http://herronstack.com/Pony-1-2-Cup-Blinker-H85.htm
They don’t specify small pony or Shetland, but I believe some of the mini folk bought them here. I’d call and ask.
[QUOTE=Sara417;5445178]
I discussed this with my friend, and she drove him yesterday in his riding bridle. She said he went fine, wasn’t bothered by the cart, and even seemed to do better turning, being able to see. [/QUOTE]
Wow, your friend is brave! I think I’d probably stick with what he is used to. . .
That being said, I drive my gelding in an open bridle and he does absolutely fine, NO issues, and he prefers it this way. Throughout the breaking process, we worked each stage with- and without blinkers and he was a bit more comfortable without through all of the steps. I think we’ll transition to using blinders if I decide to compete him, but for driving at home, the open bridle is fine, because he is very comfortable with it.
