Terry driving Bonnie in the Training Shafts

After my turn, my brother Terry wanted a run.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Newfoundland
• Pony
• Harness
• Training
• Shafts
• Cart
• Horse
• Driving

[tracerace66]

You're awesome! Thank you for the help. You should probably give lessons (if you don't already) because you seem like a thorough and considerate teacher.

[thecostumer]

I don't have a coaching certificate so I can't charge for lessons, but I do still help people out. A friend of mine is a jumper on the national circuit and i had him driving on saturday and he loved it. he said it was so much more fun than riding. It takes MORE skill and is easier on the horse!!

[tracerace66]

Thank you. You are very resourceful! It was very helpful to see this because I am new to driving and I am at this point in training with our pony. I'm not sure what I'll come up with but this is a visual for me. Books and youtube are all I have right now!

[thecostumer]

If you don't have anything at this point to use, you can either use pool noodles (the foam things) for horses that are insane. They can't possibly hurt themselves with them. You can also use freshly cut saplings about an inch or two wide. limb them. they're great becuase they're wobbly and bouncy a lot. dried ones if stepped on are too sharp and can puncture...

[thecostumer]

Most people just use a travois (trav-wah) Two poles with a board nailed flat across the bottom with two hooks for the traces. You need to to be a little long so when pony walks his hooves don't hit. the thing about the wheels that i like is there's more movement. example when the pony stops the shafts move up a little still, like a cart would, and gets stoppped by the britchen or the wrap straps.

[thecostumer]

Another thing is to make sure the shafts aren't too long. If they are and the pony tries to bend, like they should, he'll hit his head and learn to not bend... or bend the opposite way from the turn, and we don't want counterflexing, especially in dressage... Also don't want in the centre of the hroses when you are grounddriving him. Stand at 5 o'clock from him. This way should you need to pull a log, or stone boat, or something, you're both already 'in the know' of where and how to stand

[tracerace66]

Oh, and I agree, driving is a blast. I rode with a woman that does CDE and it was a blast! That was what got me hooked :).

[tracerace66]

Well, get that certificate then! I am retiring my saddle horse (from low level dressage work) and my daughter has outgrown her pony so we thought it was time to pick up a new discipline. I feel like a fish out of water though. ;)

[thecostumer]

I'm 22 and have been driving for about 6 years. I have many vehicles from antique to just off the assembly line. My father's a welder who's since make me another set of these shafts in pony size with a much longer drop so they aren't as angled.

[thecostumer]

Hey - I'm not sure if I posted new comments or replied to your's, but I commented on both the videos you commented on. Feel free to ask me anything else!