Wanting to start driving

churumbeque · 02-19-2013, 07:13 AM

Yes are horses are much smaller here than in Europe
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SnowCowgirl · 02-19-2013, 04:41 PM

Oh gosh I don't think she'd fit an Arab-sized anything. She's not very tall, but she's really quite stocky.

(she's the mare on the right)

I think I'm going to start looking around online... are there any specific manufacturers you guys would recommend for a harness, in Canada or the States? I thiiiiiiiink I'm going to go for the non-collar type... whatever the heck its called... because I'd like to be able to use the harness on more than one horse if possible.

Also, I'm ordering that book tonight :)

SnowCowgirl · 02-19-2013, 04:50 PM

... though I haven't completely decided on that either. I'm still going to look into both types.

churumbeque · 02-19-2013, 04:58 PM

What is your budget for a new harness . I had a custom harness made at carriage driving essentials I got it within a few weeks and they needed to make a few adjustments for which they did quickly and it was a extremely nice harness and a good price
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SnowCowgirl · 02-19-2013, 07:07 PM

I'd like to stay under $500 if possible... is that majorly unrealistic? I'm not opposed to going the nylon route. Haven't looked into harnesses yet but I can't reaaaaaally imagine getting a leather one for that price.

michaelvanessa · 02-19-2013, 07:29 PM

Snow cow girl look in my albums at quincy he is about your mares size in stocky ness he has a full size harness and he is 16hh a cob size would fit him and I beleave he is a cross with a suffolk punch or heavy horse type.
I am geting a collar for him soon a canadian adjustable would benifit your mare greatley and save you on your costs an arab here is very fine and narrow to a cob.
A cob is more big set as thay have trates of heavy horse in them.
Both of your horses look beautiful and keep us in the loop ok on how your geting on many thanks.

Taffy Clayton · 02-19-2013, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowCowgirl

I'd like to stay under $500 if possible... is that majorly unrealistic? I'm not opposed to going the nylon route. Haven't looked into harnesses yet but I can't reaaaaaally imagine getting a leather one for that price.

You can find a good quality used leather harness for that price. They are out there, I bought a Smuckers Delux horse size this summer for $400. I was very happy.

Taffy Clayton · 02-19-2013, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SnowCowgirl

Hi everyone!

I'm a total beginner to driving but would really like to start training my mare to drive. I did ground drive her a bunch while saddle breaking her as a 4 year old... but that was 10 years ago now! We were to the point where she was pulling a tire around the arena... but everything I did was total guess work and I'm not sure how "proper" my training techniques were.

I'm just wondering what the best way to get started would be....? Unfortunately, I don't see having access to a driving trainer or clinic anytime. I'm thinking about picking up a book, does anyone have any suggestions?

Harness-wise, would you suggest one with a collar or one of those breast-strap type dealies? I can't see pulling a lot of weight with her and not for any longer than maybe 2 hours at a time (far in the future!).

Regarding the collar... I know I should try some on her (will be very hard, I'm located very far north in an unhorsey community and no one sells driving gear) but I've also been looking into how to measure her. In the meantime, can anyone give me a rough idea as to what size of horse a 23" collar would fit....? My mare is draft cross, maybe 15hh and solidly built.

Back to your original post.

Before I sunk some money into a harness, I would get her ground driving again.
Just use your saddle and run the reins through the stirrups, find yourself a whip, and off you go. Practice patience, Patience, patience your and hers. You can do bends, turns, stops, starts, don't work to much on back till she is driving well.
you can use PVC pipes to make yourself some shafts, you can do all kinds of desensitizing to make sure she is suitable as a driving horse. Read some of the old driving posts on this site, there are some good questions and answers on here.
You can use a racing hood as blinders.

I would get your mare to pulling a tire before you spend a bunch of cash, it is a long process to teach a horse to drive and in the mean time you can save some $$$$$.

Good luck! We or should I say I like photos.

SnowCowgirl · 02-19-2013, 07:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taffy Clayton

Back to your original post.

Before I sunk some money into a harness, I would get her ground driving again.
Just use your saddle and run the reins through the stirrups, find yourself a whip, and off you go. Practice patience, Patience, patience your and hers. You can do bends, turns, stops, starts, don't work to much on back till she is driving well.
you can use PVC pipes to make yourself some shafts, you can do all kinds of desensitizing to make sure she is suitable as a driving horse. Read some of the old driving posts on this site, there are some good questions and answers on here.
You can use a racing hood as blinders.

I would get your mare to pulling a tire before you spend a bunch of cash, it is a long process to teach a horse to drive and in the mean time you can save some $$$$$.

Good luck! We or should I say I like photos.

I will be doing this for sure :) However, I don't think it'll take much to get back into it - we were at a point years ago where I'd say she was doing "very well" ground driving with the saddle, pulling a tire. She was a bit of a nutball as a youngster so I ground drove her for probably a month solid before I ever got on, and continued after that. I'm going to give the PVC poles a shot though, that's a good idea.

I'd be pretty happy to find a decent second hand harness! I'll be looking around. Thanks all!

Gmac · 02-20-2013, 02:33 PM

1000.00 is alot for a single harness if you ask me. I haven't paid that for anyo of my draft harnesses. Of course I only use collar harnesses, I don't have any breast plate harnesses(if you pull something on the ground like a tire or log a breast plate doesn't have the right draft) I'm not a big fan of leather either, all mine are bio. Bio is a little lighter to carry and clean up is a little 409 and a water hose.
One of my favorite books is "farming with horses" by Steve Bowers. Its not really that much about farming as it is about getting harnessed, harness parts, correct fit, and alot of other helpful info. Its also has alot of good photos and illistrations that are helpful.

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