Teaching a horse to drive

[Thomas_1]

The main reasons for problems with the crupper are:

dirt or hair caught and rubbing
crupper is stiff or got rough stitching
crupper cold
crupper too tight

So make sure that its immaculately clean and that all the hair is brought forward

I always use a traditional leather crupper that’s linseed filled and with buckles and adjustment. I put it on the horse’s back to keep warm and very carefully ensure that under the tail is clean and that all the hair is removed and lift the tail and hold it until its not clamping and so the horse is relaxed and then fit it.

[BybeeGirl]

[QUOTE=Thomas_1;3674977]

you’ve not put any pressure on through his britching or crupper. [/QUOTE]

Pardon me for jumping in, but can someone explain how this is done before actually hooking to a cart?

I have a AQHA gelding that is currently being trained to harness, and we’re still in the dragging of noisy, rattly items stage. While I’ve interrogated the kind and patient trainer to death, I haven’t asked how this is accomplished, and likely won’t see him again until next week.

[Thomas_1]

By using assisters who apply pressure through the britching.

[AQHA4me]

I just wanted to post a quick update. We’ve been line driving all over the place with PVC shafts dragging, he doesn’t care, we’ve put “weight” on the harness by pulling every which way forwards and backwards while line driving, he doesn’t care. This horse has been un-flappable (which is how he acts under saddle as well)! Seriously, the other horses are more bothered by it than he is. So, I’m hoping to get him hooked before the new year!

And by looking on Craig’s List I found a GREAT deal on a show harness and cart, so we will have the popular, proper equipment. The only thing I wish was different is that the pin striping on the cart and the accents in the patent are red, as is my horse. Oh well. It was a good deal and fits him well, so that’s all that matters. When I get him hitched to the cart, I’ll post a picture for everyone to see.

The crazy fun part of all of this is that a little over a month ago, I didn’t own any driving equipment, somehow in that time frame I’ve acquired 3 jog carts, a show cart, a work harness, and a show harness! Oh, and when I finish breaking my horse, my boyfriend wants to teach his horse to drive. Which means that I have a great person as he’s learning along with my horse so that he can take the lead in breaking his mare. How cool is that!

[Tiffani_B]

Congratulations! You’ll have to post some photos from your first show!

[AQHA4me]

Bumping up this old thread. After lots of ground work and help from some very experienced people my horse has been hooked and succesfully driven around home and a friend’s farm. I showed my horse this weekend and earned driving points our first time out. He still needs lots of miles to be truly broke, but he handled the traffic well, confronted some scary stuff at the show and I was very proud of him.

Thanks for the suggestions that were offered earlier.

[hitchinmygetalong]

Nice horse. Glad you are making progress!

[goodhors]

Glad to hear your work is progressing so well after all your time invested. Nice to have an accepting horse out in front of you. Turnout looks quite correct for breed showing and you earned points on your first outing!! Nice colored horse, red accents look fine.