Unicorn and team of Friesian stallions (and Roly!)

[SaiwolfShinobi]

WOW!! Driving looks so cool! I've only read about it. It would be fun and challenging to learn.

[Jessiealana]

If you dont mind me asking what is so special about Roly??

[barryhook2]

@Jessiealana Roly is our grey schoolmaster - in this film there were only 3 Friesians - in order to put them in a team we needed a fourth horse, so we used Roly. He has been driven in every position/combination and if clients want us to put their horse as a pair/tandem etc while breaking them, but don't yet have a second horse themselves, we use Roly during their training.

[Jessiealana]

WAAAAAAAAATT Stallions together??? Wow they must be super quiet??

[lovefriesians4ever]

Wow that is one beautiful friesian! What is his name?

[NamihaTaiga]

Have you ever trained a morgan? i love the breed and wonder if you have a video of you working with one?

[MrStablelad]

I wanted to point out that years ago Female's Would not have worked with Horse's, Time's have changed Thankfully, Mel has a Natural way with horse's as does Barry.

I can not find Fault with any video, I would soon be shouting if i had for the Horse's sake, Free Lesson from Barry & Mel & i say ThANK YOU to you both, The rest is Patience& Time, & learn by Mistake's But get the Correct Knowledge, If need be give Barry a phone, But please The Horse First. Barry so for writing on your page, Barry U*

[MrStablelad]

I have chosen this video to show how the times have changed, Many years ago old Horseman were very secretive people, in the way that they worked with there horse's.

If they found a new way of doing something they kept it to them selves or passed it on the there family only. I have Never thought like that & no one should for the horse Sake, We have used horse's for so long, Our ForeFathers should have done more, So please your getting Free Help by Barry Lets repay our Horse's, We owe it to them

[barryhook2]

@MrStablelad Thank you very much for your comments - its always lovely to hear what people think of our videos, and as you say if anyone has any questions about breaking horses to harness they are welcome to contact us by phone or email and we will always do our best to help. We hope our videos show that it is possible to have a safe, confident and above all happy driving horse, regardless of age or breed. Thank you for taking the time to comment on them.

[KnightHawke01]

I always worry if the trotting on the streets causes splints in their legs? Do any horses ever slip on the street in their shoes? (I don't do much street riding, but have seen horses slip a few times just barefoot) I ask because I know you are more than likely the utmost source, and I doubt you'd ever harm a horse intentionally.

[barryhook2]

@KnightHawke01 Thanks for your comment. In all our years of training horses, we have never had any leg problems related to working on the roads. Every horse should always be shod properly, and it is important to only do as much work as the horse is physically capable of (this is true for any discipline, on any surface). We always shoe our horses with road nails to assist with grip, but horses wearing studs can still slip on grass, so there is always a risk of slipping on any surface.

[barryhook2]

Sadly there are people who give driving a bad name by taking very young horses out and overfacing them, but it is not true that trotting on the roads causes splints in every horse - they can also be caused by diet and bad shoeing. Many people would not think twice about turning their horse out in a field on a frosty morning on frozen hard ground, where they could gallop over all the divots and rough terrain, wearing a wet turnout rug that can weigh as much as a set of harness.

[barryhook2]

Because this is seen as “play” not “work”, concussion does not become an issue. Also, a set of harness and shafts could weigh 45lbs - nobody seems to question the possibility of splint formation if a 12 stone person rides a horse on the roads. In our opinion carriage driving has been labelled unfairly when it comes to this issue! As I hope our videos show, we always take the utmost care to look after every aspect of our own and our clients’ horses’ welfare, shoeing included.

[KnightHawke01]

@barryhook2 Thank you very much! That was the best answer anyone's ever been able to give me! (I'm interested in drivng, but was afraid to because of the above question) I always enjoy your straight forwardness and true devotion to the horses! And I didn't know splints could be caused by bad diet. I'm deffinately looking into that! Thank you again for your wonderful videos and great information!

[chelackie]

What a sight for sore eyes indeed ,just love your work and always did have a shine for a Freisian.People must be blown away when you drive past ! Wish more horses were used in UK .Lovely work !

[silverrealm]

Is Roly one of your older horses you use for training new teams and young horses? He appears so. :)

[SantaandCo]

@silverrealm He's not that old but yes we do use him sometimes for taking out younger horses. However we do not use him for every horse - some of them go straight into single harness; it depends very much on the individual as some horses don't take any solace from having another horse alongside them. We used Roly for this case because the 4th Friesian of the team needed shoeing, hence he took their place in the lead and just went behind the carriage for the unicorn.

[bballgirlmu1]

not a very well fitted halter in the beginning

[milliesos]

well done to the boy infront for going on his own. Is he the 4 year old

[stkez]

wow !!!

What dedicated trainers !

well done

[userunavailable3095]

Beautiful! I break my horses very similarly to what you do. I just put my 28 year old home raised pony in harness the other day after 8 years of not being driven. She hadn't forgotten anything and drove calmly in water, high weeds and brush and on the highway.

[thinice53]

I am a one of your fans! I train mammoth donkeys and have used many of your methods, I think you are super! please! talk more about training to drive.

[yellinga1]

comments related to all of the videos. I just had to congratulate barry [and the team's] absolute commitment to the welfare of the horse, from shoes, harness, bits, vehicles, well being and especially confidence levels. I hope other viewers also recognise Barry's ability to do all his homework first so when it comes to the 'test' the horse can be asked and has everything it needs to pass with a minimum of stress. Confidence doesnt happen overnight it is incremental. Congratulations

[barryhook2]

Thank you very much for your comment. It is always lovely to hear what people think of our training methods and also great to know that by watching the videos you can see what we are trying to achieve with the horses. Our aim is to train horses to be confident, happy and therefore safe in any sphere of harness work. Taking the time to comment on our work is much appreciated. Thank you!