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Post by lorddaxter on Dec 17, 2014 16:19:13 GMT
So I have never driven a horse or pony before, I have sat in a cart a few time 30 years ago but that's it! Dax was broke to drive when I got him, he hasn't driven since then so what maybe 3 years plus, he had pulled a big 6 seater, a sleigh, tarps with kids on and round bales with chains. I now have a 2 seater sleigh almost ready and harness and boots with ice studs on their way:) How should I re introduce him, all the books I have don't really tell me! thanks in advance  |
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Post by carshon on Dec 17, 2014 17:20:23 GMT
I would start by using the bridle from your harness and ground driving him. Once he is comfortable move him up to ground driving with the full harness, then move him to pulling something small - like a log. Then up to something bigger
Years ago - a gentleman I was dating purchased a standardbred as a trail horse. The horse had been raced when he was younger. My "friend" wanted to buy a cart etc - but he was not as "horsey" as I - so I started Frank (the horse) out as I described above and was very pleasantly surprised at how little he had forgotten over the years. Friend ended up using Frank to pull a sleigh and give some sleigh rides. By then the Jackass (not Frank) and I were Kaput so he took all of the credit for having such a nice cart horse.
have fun and send pics!
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Post by lorddaxter on Dec 18, 2014 0:31:30 GMT
Ok, silly question, I was thinking pallet, all logs covered with  , how do I attach it?! |
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320 
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Post by mingiz on Dec 18, 2014 2:43:46 GMT
I would go ahead and put the harness on him and ground drive him. You can make a makeshift set of shafts from pvc pipe in the shape of a U and that will be the feeling of the shafts to him and as it drags on the ground the sound behind him. You should lift it up when you do a turn so he doesn't step on it. If he does well with that hook the sleigh up and drive him from the ground first few times and see if he reacts. If he does your better off on the ground than in the seat. At least that is the way we trained standardbred's for driving a sulky. Does the bridle have an over check on it?
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Post by lorddaxter on Dec 18, 2014 2:52:25 GMT
No, I didn't order a side or over check.
Can I use the shaft off the sleigh, it comes off, we took it off to spray it, it's heavy mind!
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Dec 18, 2014 3:00:57 GMT
Here's a few videos
This is the 4thvideo of a horse being trained for harness and cart. You can see all of them on You tube they are listed as Cap 4, 5 ,6
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSy1va3FBPA
This one is what I was trying to explain. |
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Dec 18, 2014 3:30:37 GMT
Sure you could use the shaft from the sleigh. But it will get scratched up.
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Post by Shelly on Dec 18, 2014 6:18:58 GMT
My tips is ground drive, ground drive, ground drive! Most of my experience is with teams and we hook them up with chains behind them to a single tree in the back. I know an issue one of the guys I would often help with sleigh rides mentioned that one of the harder things for the horses to learn and adjust to is the way they turn. They almost need to be able to turn square. Knowing that he has done it in the past just start simple and who knows he might teach you a thing or two  as specially if he's done it with kids he must had been pretty good in the past. I plan on re-introducing Oliver to the harness as well and I plan on getting him to pull a small cutter or something along those lines (probably cheap and home made lol) until i can get him a proper sleigh or wagon. |
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Dec 18, 2014 12:12:16 GMT
My all horses are driving. And I agree with others, ground driving is the best way on long rains. We use old small tractor tiers or car tiers to begin wth.
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Post by lorddaxter on Dec 18, 2014 13:13:11 GMT
Thanks everyone, mingiz I didnt even think to look on youtube  |
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, how do I attach it?!
as specially if he's done it with kids he must had been pretty good in the past. I plan on re-introducing Oliver to the harness as well and I plan on getting him to pull a small cutter or something along those lines (probably cheap and home made lol) until i can get him a proper sleigh or wagon. 
