| Author | Message | ||
     Jo Allan |
hi i have followed the Heike Bean book ... dressage approach to carriage driving ....... excellent | ||
| Beccy Smith |
Hi all. I am a complete novice and very keen to get started with my connemara pony. I have only had a couple of lessons or so last year (with Pat Cooper-who is great by the way but a little far away!) but got way-laid by mysterious lameness with pony. Am back on track and keen to progress but have limited transport (I car share with my mum) and funds (for petrol mostly!). As a result I am looking for someone who teaches closer to home. I live near North Cave in East Yorkshire. I have bought (hopefully with correct advice from the manufacturers), a second hand 2 wheeler suitable for HDTs, a harness and have a 45 x 25 manege and relatively flat fields at home. I can travel the pony but not the pony and carriage as no facilities to do so (and no funds this year to sort out). My pony is a fairly quiet 8 yr old one-eyed connemara and we have been sucessfully pulling a tyre around the roads for a few days with no problems. Can anyone help? I may be able to offer schooing or sports massage for horses in return also as I am an equine body worker and not a bad rider! Regards Beccy Smith | ||
| Steph Richards |
I would also recommend the Sallie Walrond book Breaking a Horse to Harness. I had never broken a horse to harness before but followed the steps in this book and he is now going great. | ||
| Nicolette Hughes |
Thanks Amanda and Fiona. (Fiona I am Nadias mum the little girl Mike taught to drive and then he broke Mable the shetland in for us!) This pony is more of a family ride & drive pony and one that my son who is autistic can also learn on once pony is established. He is a lot steadier than the whizzy Mable, which is great for what we need. Also, and very excitingly I can drive him as he is a big strong boy! Unfortunately I don't have any current spare money to have him broken professionally or I would definately do this. Nadia is going to teach me how to drive (basics) and talks me through everything she does and hopfully she is going to camp at Ashfields so I can learn more there too! On the farm there are over 30 horses but no one drives! Although we have had horses a long time I have a lot to learn about this! Amanda I will give you a call and buy your book. Many thanks Nicolette | ||
| Fiona Powell |
Hi, Nicolette, welcome to driving! I strongly recommend that you get some professional help at an early stage (Ask your local driving trials club secretary to recommend a local instructor?) to make sure you start out on the right hoof... His harness might need adjustment to fit comfortably as he'll be that special Haflinger shape. Also, do check that your insurance covers you driving on the road, the BDS or BHDTA memberships offer insurance (just in case!) Why not give Amanda a call as she's offered to help - plus her book gives excellent advice? Best of luck! Fiona | ||
| Amanda Nisbet |
Am happy to talk you though next steps. Sports Driving is a good book to help with driving. 01576 610248 | ||
| Nicolette Hughes |
Hello everyone. As usual after some advice & guidance! I have bought a new pony, a 13h2 stocky Halflinger, he is 7 and is currently ridden. He is quite green but safe adn sensible and my oldest daughter is bringing him on for my middle daughter who is really enjoying riding him. He is calm, laid back and nice natured. We don't know his history at all as he has come from Holland. We are starting road work with him this week but he isn't phased by any of the farm machinery so fingers crossed. In the summer holidays I want to start working on him so he can be driven. My middle daughter drives already so she is going to help when we get to that point. I am assuming I need to introduce him to blinkers, then harness and do a lot of long rein practise first, (there is a big menage and lots of available field space). Can anyone either reccomend a good book to follow or explain what my next steps after that will be please? I realise I need to get him used to pulling something - what shall I start with and then progress to? Also he may already have been driven; is there anything I should look out for to tell me this just by looking at him? regards Nicolette |