Hitching with one person

[jej]

Here's a newbie question: is it possible to hitch your pony unassisted?

I have a Section A welsh pony (11.3 h.h.)who has been driving for about 6 months. I started him myself (first driving pony) with some help from an experienced driver and Sally Sexton's books (bless her). (I am an experienced rider with 30 years riding/ showing experience).

I took my time at the beginning with him, and he stands beautifully to be harnessed and hitched, but I have always had someone at his head while I hitched him. Pony has been fabulous throughout, and I was able to clinic with a CDI driver and trainer, who also thought he had a great attitude. Pony is energetic and forward, but sensible. We are working on some basic dressage, and cones currently, and just enjoying ourselves!

I keep my horses at home, and often don't have help, so I don't get to drive as often as I'd like. Is it possible, or rather, is it safe, to hitch by yourself? If so, how would you recommend I proceed?

[War Admiral]

It's not OPTIMUM by any means, in terms of safety, and many will recommend against it, but it can be done. Realistically if it couldn't, probably 40% of us would never get to drive at all!

You've got 2 choices basically: (1) Get an oversized halter and put it on OVER the bridle so you have something safe to tie with - never tie to the bit, obviously. Then find a safe, quiet place to tie horse while he's being hitched. (I loved it when I was at a barn where I could put to in the nice wide aisle using crossties and then just pop the halter off and drive out! Another favorite place was tying him to the support beam of our cart shed...) Make sure he knows how to back and turn the vehicle first! Be sure he's somewhere that can't get shafts tangled up in fence if he gets startled, or anything like that. Also - I prefer to tie pretty short if I'm tying. Less wiggle room.

Or, alternatively, (2) learn to put an untied horse to while keeping a good hold of the reins the entire time (and remembering to stay out of the way of shafts and wheels in case of a sudden bolt!). I practiced this for a good couple years with Avery tied, before I got confident enough to try it without his being tied. But I loff it now, b/c I can drive him to nice juicy ungrazed fields we wouldn't make it to otherwise, unhitch, put on the halter and longe line out of my SPARES KIT, and let him graze for a couple of hours, then rehitch and go home.

I'd recommend starting with (1) until you and horse are more confident, and then move on to (2). But as usual, exercise caution and take your time, b/c it only takes once...

[Ashemont]

Well I'm one who would never get out unless I could do it myself. Phoenix has always stood nicely. My friend who broke him initially (under saddle) is an eventer and she teaches all of her horses to stand patiently while being mounted (as she's often climbing aboard from the back of a pickup or the fender on a horse trailer) and they learn not to move a foot until SHE tells them to. She does this with the youngsters by giving them a small treat once she's mounted, so any horse broken by her will stand rock solid then turn it's nose back to you once you are mounted ;)

Maggie was another story. She had to be tied hard and fast to get the harness on! Then I'd put my rope halter on over her bridle, tie her to a post along the fence in the small enclosed area adjacent to the barn, and I'd put to. After opening the gate I'd hang onto the reins, quickly untie the rope halter and hop in the cart. Once in the cart I would work on making her stand.

It took a little time but now she stands in the enclosure quietly while I get everything hitched up. I tell her to stand and walk over to the gate, open it, walk back and climb aboard. We've practiced standing enough that she will stand rock-solid until I tell her to move off.

We initially had 2-wheeled carts for both the horse (Phoenix) and the pony (Maggie) and while I could easily get the shafts through the tugs on the pony it was a challenge with the horse - often requiring me to go back and forth several times. It's MUCH easier now that we use marathon carriages :winkgrin:

[War Admiral]

Yes, Pat brings up a great point that I probably didn't emphasize enough in my first post... Before you try this, make sure your pony understands that "Whoa/Stand" is an ORDER, not an OPTION.

Those who get to see me ooey-gooey-smooching all over Avery most of the day and catering to his every whim would probably be surprised at the extent to which I unhesitantly get ALL OVER his case if he moves even one hoof when being hitched. But Avery's the kind of horse that if you give him an inch he takes six miles, so consistent enforcement of strict rules is mandatory when safety is at stake.

[pricestory]

Stand is obviously one of the most important gaits.
I would never drive if I had to have someone here. That being said, if I am away from home, I try to find someone to stand at the head. At home, my routine begins with using a gullet strap, going from the throat latch to the nose band. On the nose band end, there is a ring. I use that with a lead to lead to the carriage and to hang on to the lead while I am putting to. I can do that easier than keeping the reins in hand. If the pony moves a foot, I growl and it goes back. We are very serious about standing. I follow the exact same routine everytime I put to. If someone wants to help, I ask them to stand at the head and let me do my routine. When everything is complete, I take the reins, remove the lead and get in. Poppy has learned to stand and wait until I am in and give the command to move off. Same process is followed at the end. Get out, lead goes on, carriage unhitched, pony led off with lead. When I have to hitch in the grass and Poppy isn't moving but is trying to eat grass, I have been know to hook the lead over the hook on top of the saddle so she can't reach the grass.

[Thomas_1]

Whilst it may well be possible IMO its neither wise nor prudent and is a practice so intrinsically risky that its not something I would EVER personally do in any circumstances.

Furthermore I would always advise never to do it and rather to seek to find someone who can lend a hand or not drive.

I've seen the awful consequences of too many single handed attempts at putting to harness and driving and will never be persuaded that its a compromise that ought to be made in any circumstances. I'd personally give up driving if I didn't have a helping hand.

I just know you will get postings from folks saying they do it but its mad, bad and darn right dangerous for even the most experienced of drivers. You are a newbie DON'T DON'T DON'T do it!

[War Admiral]

BTW, hi Price!!! Welcome to COTH!! :)

[kearleydk]

As you can see there are plenty of people who put to and drive alone but there are NONE that prefer it. We all know it is not a very safe thing to do.

The tips already given are sound and I'll only add that there is a nifty bit of rope work, that I won't try to describe, that allows you to pull a light line and release the halter from the hitching rail after you are all secure in your vehicle. Unfortunately it does not help one bit when you return to the hitching rail at the end of your drive.
Wrecks can happen just as much at the return as at the outset. Unless you are Lost Farmer your horse has almost certainly got enough left to cause major problems at the end of your drive.

Dick

[Dreag823]

I also hitch alone or I would never drive. Thomas, don't read this, but I also drive alone.

My trainer has me use a halter (a bit more snug but not tight) UNDER the bridle. It stays on. We've only been driving a lilttle over a year. He taught me a method of using a long rope with a "daisy chain" hitch that attaches to the bit. I hook up the daisy chain rope to the bit (holding onto the end), unsnap the tie to the hitching post, get up in the cart, pull the daisy chain rope to undo the chain then throw the rope to the side (I had a remnant heavier cotton rope tied to the end to give it some weight when I throw it aside). We are then free from the hitching post.

We never had any problems with this. It took a couple of months of training, and we no longer have to use this method. I can unhitch from the hitching post, give a firm STAND, and climb up in the cart. The horse then is reminded to stand, has to wait, then off we go. We've had a lot of work on ground manners and such.

Safety was the utmost concern of my trainer. He knew from the beginning that I would be hitching and driving alone and we worked out the bugs.

Just my 2 cents.
Andrea

[MySparrow]

See, I always knew I should have been born a princess, or at the very least a duchess. Then I would be able to have pages and footmen and grooms at my beck and call. I would never have to muck out a stall, butter a piece of leather, pick out a hoof -- or drive alone.

I don't drive alone with the horses I am now just training. But Sparrow stands beautifully and has never moved an inch when put to, but I don't trust the world not to scare her into aberration. So I have a longe line attached to the bit, much as when I had head walkers when we first began driving her, and I keep it looped in my hand or belt while I put to. I only unhook it when I'm ready to mount the cart. By that time everything has been checked and double checked, and the reins are in my hand.

If the day seems a bit off but I still want to drive, I put her to in the arena. The southeast corner of the arena has gates into the pasture and the yard, and is also where everyone, human and horse, congregates. Horses prefer to be there than anywhere else in the arena, so that's the corner I use.

It's been important to me to be able to put Sparrow to alone, because I have learned the hard way that you can't always count on your groom to do the right thing at the right moment. Twice my groom has oopsed -- once unaccountably dropping the lead rope, once stumbling and falling to her knees, just at the wrong moment. Both times were in response to something startling, and both times could have been disasters. But because Sparrow was a good girl and stood, we didn't have a wreck. Sometimes horses are more reliable than people.

[horseyfolks]

Sam hitches and goes by herself all the time. She was taught how to do it by the same trainer who taught Dreag823 how to do it.

Hey Price... I'm glad to see you here. I'm sorry we won't be able to do your show in Tryon but Sam moved up and is doing Intermediate now (she won at Nature Coast). We will be at Georgia, Gayla, Elk Creek, Iron Horse, and one of the New Jersey shows. We are also doing the CDE/National Drive in Lexington. Are you doing Georgia?

Don

[Cartfall]

I have to second Andrea (Dreag. Having had a horrific accident at a CDE while hitching with only a header, I use this on all my horses.

I use a driving halter with the buckle on the nose. If I am just hacking around the neighborhood, I leave it under bridle. I use a very thin very long cotton clothesline. It is tied to something very big and very immobile. I then tie into the ring under the chin in a quick release knot. This line is long enough to reach into the cart. I get into the carriage/cart. Once I am set, then I give the knot a yank and we are free to go when I choose.

Having this set up allows me to drive (as with most I drive alone) and has really helped me with Looker. She used to leave before I was in the cart. A couple of time it was dangerous to the point, she fell over. Now she stands until I cue her. That little line exerts enough pressure to stop her.

I also do this at shows now when I am showing alone. I put the halter over the bridle and find some kind set of hands to remove the bridle before I go in class.

Several of us in Florida owe this trick to Bob Giles--Thanks Bob.:D

[Ashemont]

I guess having a western background I never thought twice about teaching a horse to stand.... and expecting it to do so! Afterall we taught all of the ranch horses to ground-tie and I honestly figured this was just part of training a driving horse. But then what do I know... I'm probably the only one with FEI dressage horses that are hobble-broke :lol: I tend to mix my disciplines up :D

[Carriage Ponies]

I too must drive alone or I would never drive !And ....driving little Shetlands does not give you the luxury of driving with just anyone. They have to be the just right size to fit in the seat with me!.
So when alone , I too hitch with a lead rope tied to a great old pine tree. I have a light grooming halter on top of the driving bridle which I attach to the oak tree. When all is ready and all has been checked I release the lead rope and use the command to STAND. My ponies are taught to stand until I give the command to walk on. I always take my time in the carriage before moving off . I fiddle and adjust on purpose. The ponies are conditioned to wait until I say to move.
At a show it is a bit different. Fortunately then.... I usually have loads of helpers who are more than willing to head the ponies.

Carriage Ponies

[LostFarmer]

... Unless you are Lost Farmer your horse has almost certainly got enough left to cause major problems at the end of your drive.

Dick

What is that supposed to mean? :lol: My horses have been hitched alone many hundreds of times. I don't have a choice I have work to do and they are the horsepower. Here is my method. (Have fun Thomas) I harness in a small shed (12x16) horses stand untied in the shed. Actually, I turn them out of their pen and they run to the shed. (A few oats never hurts ;)) I hook up the lines and the neck yoke while in the shed. I then ground drive them to the vehicle of our choice driving over the tongue and backing into position. I then wrap the lines to the jacob staff on the front of the wagon, sleigh, or forecart. Walk to the front put the neck yoke on the pole. Back the horses a half step. Walk to the back and tighten the lines. If they want to leave now they will do so pulling the vehicle with their mouth. I do up the tugs and climb aboard. I usually let them stand for at least a minute before I take the lines. If I am hitching to a particularly light vehicle, I usually back back up to a tire as an anchor. Pick up the lines and drive off. On return I stop the horses, back a half step, tie the lines and unhitch. I guess the real secret is to have enough slack in the system that the horses can be backed the half step without backing the vehicle. I also tie up the lines and load or unload the wagon or sleigh. To feed the horses drive on voice out in the field to walk along the edge of where we fed the day before. I suppose I have now broken every rule of driving known to many of CotH but it has worked here for at least 4 generations on this farm. But what do I know I am a dumb farmer with plow ponies. :winkgrin:

[Thomas_1]

But what do I know I am a dumb farmer with plow ponies. :winkgrin: In fact this does make a HUGE difference. If your horse is out in the fields working all day its not going to be in much of a mood to do something potty in any event. It will be working its butt off with a huge great dead weight plough on the back of it and know its job and be ready to go home at the end of the day. Then it might be a cold blood - or heavy horse and that does make a difference. Having said that last July/August I put a horse to harness for a customer that had just lost his 18 year old shire that "was totally safe". He was putting it to harness in his yard and for no apparent reason it shot forward with a harrow on it and went straight through the gate onto the road and was hit by a car about half a mile away and had to be put down.

See, I always knew I should have been born a princess, or at the very least a duchess. Then I would be able to have pages and footmen and grooms at my beck and call. I would never have to muck out a stall, butter a piece of leather, pick out a hoof -- or drive alone. Sounds like you wondered into the land of make believe with a chip on the shoulder and a bug up the ass?

To help the OP who is a "newbie" driver with a newbie driving pony, then those of us who live in the real world do such as beg, borrow and steal friends (and their teenage horse mad daughters!)to drive out with us or we put an ad in the local shop, saddlers, feed store, vets, newspaper asking if there's anyone would like to help. And we might even have to pay them - with riding/driving lessons, gifts or even money. Or join a local driving group and make contacts that way and work on a mutal help.

As a newbie the OP needs to know that whilst many drivers do indeed put horses to harness alone, that its an immensely dangerous and high risk practice and as such not endorsed nor recommended in any circumstances.

[HackneyHorseDriver]

I'm with Thomas on this one. We never put to alone and teach each of our clients the same. Even though I have hotter bred horses each could be hitched alone but I choose not to for safety. In my short 15 years of driving I have seen far too many accidents with turnouts having no header, and our training facility has rehabbed far to many horses that were the victoms of driving accidents that didn't need to be.

All our equines are taught the meaning of stand, but we always use a second person for safety. Also some carriages are just too heavy to put to with one person correctly.

Many new to driving complain to me that they don't have a choice but to put to alone, yet they all seem to find a person interested in helping them out and the chance to go for a ride as a thank you. Net work with your driving clubs, pony clubs, horse crazy teenagers, and neighbors. You might be surprise where you find a helper. Good luck and stay safe.

Denise

[MySparrow]

No chips, Thomas, except with the fish that I don't eat because I'm vegetarian! I dreamed when I was a girl of marrying Prince Charles -- for his ponies and his proximity to Princess Anne, whose horsewomanship I greatly admired. She was my hero for years.

Won't even address that bug business.

Don't be so xenophobic, Thomas. I married an Englishman, after all, and have two dual-passport daughters. They tell me they're re-taking the U.S. I spent many years living in Shropshire, and visiting close friends all over the UK. We very nearly moved up toward you, and looked at property near Ulgham, before the Shropshire position was offered. I loved Northumberland, and have often thought that if we'd moved there we'd be there still. In fact it was a cottage in the unlikely Seaton Sluice that snagged at my heart -- on a small road overlooking the sea, with nearly a hectare of walled garden for my horses, a sea captain's retirement home, we were told. I still dream of it.

So please try to find the positive rather than the negative in what we Yanks say, Thomas. By and large we admire all things British. My husband still bowls over the ladies with his pipe and his trans-Atlantic accent. And we're very glad to have your accent too! You bowl us over. Do you smoke a pipe, by any chance?

You're absolutely right. Safety first. The OP should continue to get good coaching and guidance and not hitch alone until the horse and the process are completely understood by all parties. Only then should s/he think about alternatives.

[Thomas_1]

I'm with Thomas on this one. We never put to alone and teach each of our clients the same. Even though I have hotter bred horses each could be hitched alone but I choose not to for safety. In my short 15 years of driving I have seen far too many accidents with turnouts having no header, and our training facility has rehabbed far to many horses that were the victoms of driving accidents that didn't need to be. :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: And I've seen a lot of horses that can't be rehabbed at all and know of too many that have died as a result of what their owner did.

All our equines are taught the meaning of stand, but we always use a second person for safety. Also some carriages are just too heavy to put to with one person correctly.:yes: :yes: :yes: :yes: :yes:

Many new to driving complain to me that they don't have a choice but to put to alone, :no: :no:
yet they all seem to find a person interested in helping them out and the chance to go for a ride as a thank you. Net work with your driving clubs, pony clubs, horse crazy teenagers, and neighbors. You might be surprise where you find a helper. Good luck and stay safe.:yes: :yes: :yes: :D

Be assured that its NEVER totally safe and these sort of accidents happen to the most experienced of drivers and driving horses.

My own horses will stand stock still for hours and have to do that VERY often and when being put to they don't move at all. However in over 50 years of driving I've personally had 2 incidents whereby for no obvious or apparent reason different horses shot forward - but because I've always got someone in attendance and at their heads we've been able to avoid unmitigating disaster. It turned out one horse was stung by wasps and I don't have the faintest idea why the other one did it and it never did it again.

You may also have read that Clare Wigmore had an exceptionally well trained driving horse do similar at a show and for no apparent or known reason.

So no matter how brilliant you think you are as a driver and no matter how well schooled you think your horse is you need to be aware that these things happen and trying to put a horse to a carriage single handed is a disaster waiting to happen and with total disregard for risk assessment and intrinsic dangers.

And when it comes to advising a novice driver with a novice driving pony IMO its darnright irresponsible to encourage bad and dangerous practice by doing the "oh I do it and get away with it" routine.

[jej]

Thanks, everyone, great replies.

I think I will just bite the bullet, and make sure I have help. The pony stands beautifully right now, with a person at his head, and I think I'd like to keep it that way. It would take just one bad incident to destroy the progress I have made.

I do use a driving halter (and have from the beginning) over his bridle when I put him to. My helper holds him while I hitch him up. I put him to in an outdoor dressage ring, then either work him in there or go out on the grass.

I have to say, though, that I feel much more at risk driving, than I do riding, maybe just because I am less experienced (and skillful) a driver than a rider! And over many years of working with horses, I have found out (the hard way, sometimes) that you can only buck the odds so many times. Better safe than sorry.

[Thomas_1]

The pony stands beautifully right now, with a person at his head, and I think I'd like to keep it that way. It would take just one bad incident to destroy the progress I have made. Absolutely right

I do use a driving halter (and have from the beginning) over his bridle when I put him to. . The headcollar goes under the bridle not over. I get quite narrow black webbing ones made and with a buckle on the nose band so if you want to take it off when the driving bridle is on, then its easy to undo and remove without interference. You can see the headcollar in this photo.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/flodden_edge/Driving/Alwinton2.jpg
And because you can't see the buckle - another photo of a standard English headcollar in case you're not sure what I mean. (I know when I've been to the USA it seems to be more common for them to nose band without buckle.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/flodden_edge/duns/Gemma.jpg
My helper holds him while I hitch him up. You should aim to have your helper standing in front of the horse but without having to hold him and with no interference - just there if and when required.

This photo shows a young shetland pony being put to harness.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/flodden_edge/Driving/DSCF0061.jpg

And one a bit bigger! being put to for the very first time
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/flodden_edge/Driving/firsttime.jpg

I put him to in an outdoor dressage ring, then either work him in there or go out on the grass. With newbies I put them to in the yard immediately outside the stables where all the other horses are about and its quite busy. I think its a good discipline to get them to stand calmly when there's a lot going on about them and I take forever so they get used to the fact it will take as long as it takes and I tend to have them stand still for some time after I've mounted the carriage too - just for the discipline of it and then I drive them to the field or arena.

I have to say, though, that I feel much more at risk driving, than I do riding, maybe just because I am less experienced (and skillful) a driver than a rider! In many ways you are. You only have your reins and voice and can't urge the horse on with seat and legs as you could when riding. If something happens not only do you have a horse to contend with but you've a carriage too. Some folks strap themselves in to the carriage with a belt but that again is something I would never do. If I have a spill I'd rather be thrown (or jump) clear and don't want a steel carriage over the top of me. You are wholly dependent on your harness to keep things safe and hence experienced carriage drivers tend to get terribly hot under the collar if they see poor or dangerous harnessing up.

And over many years of working with horses, I have found out (the hard way, sometimes) that you can only buck the odds so many times. Better safe than sorry Yep absolutely right. Its a high risk sport without deliberately taking risk. I've enjoyed it for 50 years and want to keep it that way. And my mother who showed hackney horses in harness (and under saddle) enjoyed her last carriage drive when she was 95. Well strictly speaking her very last was in a horse drawn hearse!

[Ashemont]

Hey Thomas... isn't that an awfully small breastcollar on the bigger horse being put to for the first time?

And please know that my preference would be NOT to go it alone it's just a fact of life. I'm in a rural area and almost everyone around here works during the day. I have really TRIED to get people out to go with me. Heck, I've got champion warmbloods I'd let them ride even, but it's very rare when anyone takes me up on my offer. I'm not in a position to hire someone to go with me everyday - or even a couple of times a week. The fact of the matter is that the people who would go with me are home working their own horses - by themselves - and there just aren't enough hours in the day.

I would not expect either Phoenix or Maggie to stand without someone at their head in a strange situation but on our farm on a daily basis I do have to rely on some cooperation from them. Keeping them in a small enclosure until I'm ready to go minimizes the potential for an accident. Nonetheless I am not complacent about what I do; I'm always alert and follow a strict routine each time.

Well the sun is finally coming out and that means Maggie and I need to go play :winkgrin:

[Thomas_1]

Hey Thomas... isn't that an awfully small breastcollar on the bigger horse being put to for the first time? It fits. What more do you want ;)

Though on a great big beast like that (nearly 19 hands!) it doesn't look right and isn't what you'd want for such as showing in.

It was one of a pair. That's the filly and it was put to with its full brother.

Its new carriage and harness was ready in time for it to go as a pair though and this is it all being fitted for the first time:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/flodden_edge/Driving/DSCF0100-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/flodden_edge/Driving/DSCF0094-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/flodden_edge/Driving/DSCF0102-1.jpg

[goodhors]

Some other suggestions, for when you work alone, is the crossties,the hitch rail or a wall to face horse into.

We have a 12ft aisle in our barn, kept absolutely clear of stall door hangers, blanket bars/racks. Nothing but plain walls. We crosstie the horses and harness them in the aisle. This is our routine place. Horses are firmly attached, our crossties are not breakable. Cuttable yes, not breakable. When tied, my horses are tied hard and fast. We train them this way, from colts, many hours spent in tie practicing. Don't let them fight, learn the reward of being tied and standing well.

When horse is harnessed, I remove halter to put bridle on, put halter over bridle and crosstie again. Reins are run to harness saddle, looped up. Vehicle is put on horse, accessories are in place, whip, blanket or lap robe, snacks or drink.

Driver has gloves on, pulls the reins down, tells horse to Whoa!, removes crossties, removes halter. Driver with reins, enters vehicle, sits there for a bit. Doesn't have to be quietly, shift about to make sure laprobe is set, hat tight, rein ends picked up, whip in hand. When ready, Driver tells horse to move out. Has worked very well for us, no problems, horse understands routines.
I have seen this same method work well when horse is faced with a hitching rail, crossties on it. Also a solid wall, like one side of the barn, posts with crossties on each side of wall. The people using the rail/wall method say it transfers well to trailer side for hitching at shows. They practice trailer at home first, get horse doing a routine to make them comfortable with changes. Reins in hand, after crossties and halter removed. Enter vehicle, get set in carriage. WAIT for different amounts of time, before asking horse to move. Use a watch, to time waiting. Surprising how long wait FEELS, when very LITTLE time has passed. Horse can develop a timer too, get impatient if you are "too slow". Variety keeps horse waiting for direction. Some hitch, get in vehicle, wait long times, then get back out and unharness. Keeps that horse guessing! They may not have time for a real drive, just hitching time, but practice waiting is GOOD for horse. I have done that too, sure takes the anticipation out of them!

They say hitching is very helpful with solid item in front of horse. I know they don't get excited being harnessed in the aisle if the barn doors are closed. He can't move off forward. After driver has entered vehicle, waited, then asks for reverse to move away, horse goes to work. It seems any horse seldom is in a hurry to back up and get going.

I would be taking extra care with a very green horse, green driver who is not experienced in driving. May be experienced horse person, but driving needs different responses. Both greenies, horse and driver, need to get their time in, gain experience, with skilled trainer. However at some time, they should graduate from green, to more experienced. Driver has gained skill at reading animal, knows correct reactions to situations, has confidence in themselves and animal.

A routine, with safety features like above, can be helpful to the driver working alone. I am glad for folks who can get friends in to go along. LUCKY for you! Sometimes it just is not workable for others. There is just no one around, no one who can come over. The horse needs his work, you don't get conditioned standing in the pasture. If he is not conditioned, you can't go play at competitions, visit around. So you go out by yourself. You leave a message where you are going to drive, wear your helmet, you carry your cell phone. And you go driving.

[Thomas_1]

LUCKY for you! . Its got absolutely NOTHING to do with luck :no:

[Cartfall]

All I know, if I have to wait for someone to come over --I might and that is a BIG MIGHT get to drive once a week.

So, I have learned to how to mount safely alone, drive alone with my cell phone, tell hubby where I am going, try to drive as aware and safely as I can.

The tied rope, with a halter under the bridle, in front of something immobile--in my case, a stall front at home or trailer side at a show or trail ride--allows me to drive.

As adamant and as right as you are, Thomas, there are many of us out here who won't get to drive if we have to have a groom. You are in the business and have a working stable. You have that advantage over we who own a few horses for our own pleasure in our backyard barns. No arguments here, :no: just a simple statement of a difference of lifestyle that regulates us to a different way of doing things. :yes:

[Thomas_1]

You are in the business and have a working stable. You have that advantage over we who own a few horses for our own pleasure in our backyard barns. No arguments here, :no: just a simple statement of a difference of lifestyle that regulates us to a different way of doing things. :yes: What I have and haven't got makes absolutely NO difference whatsoever. In my lifetime I've also been in situations where I've had horses for my own use and I still didn't harness up and drive alone and I would NEVER so do.

No arguments here either - its just an entirely different way of doing things and nothing to do with lifestyles at all. Its too dangerous for me and my horse.

[MySparrow]

Hmm. This raises an interesting point. I grew up in the city and would go miles and do ANYTHING to be around horses. Now I live in a settlement with more horses than people, and in a county with a very high horse-per-capita population, and a state that supports some of the largest horse shows in the world (Dixie National Quarter Horse show, going on now, is the world's 3rd largest, for example). It's a lot harder to find someone with the time or inclination to come work with me -- especially during the school day. They've got their own horses to take care of!

So I wonder -- if you posted your notices and nobody came, then what would you do? Give up horses?

[War Admiral]

its just an entirely different way of doing things and nothing to do with lifestyles at all. Its too dangerous for me and my horse.

Well, actually I think it has a LOT to do with lifestyles. How, after all, did the farmers in the old days get to town? They hitched alone, they drove alone, and when they got to town, they hitched to a hitching post while they did their errands - and I would suspect that some of them probably even did it without a halter on! :D

I'm not saying I don't advocate taking every conceivable precaution when hitching - and believe me there have been plenty of days when, for whatever reason, I didn't feel safe trying to hitch alone, so I didn't drive. But if I didn't hitch alone, I'd never get to drive at ALL. Period. So ya do what ya gotta do, and take every sensible precaution to stay safe.

[LostFarmer]

Alot depends on the horse. Most horses don't ever get enough time and miles to be broke. My mentor used to say a tired horse has a lot less spook in it. We pretend to break a horse. A few days a week for an hour or two. My grandfather worked horses every day all year long. Some days a few head and some days as many as 20 head. These horses weren't "broke" or "trained" for months and years. People had a job to do and as soon as the horse could be put in a hitch it was used.

I broke my current ponies during the winter feeding cattle on a sleigh. I had a situation that forced me into hitching everyday and often twice a day for 120 days. These ponies looked forward to the words whoa. They were listening for it. I have no problem hitching alone. I personally find the pictures of people hitching with poles and in a barn with crossties far more scary to me.

LF

[holmes]

I hitch on my own all the time - but our horses are hitched 4-5 times a week and have been in this routine for years.

Now any new horses, are always hitched and driven with two people.

[Thomas_1]

So I wonder -- if you posted your notices and nobody came, then what would you do? Give up horses? To reiterate, here's what I said in my first posting:
I've seen the awful consequences of too many single handed attempts at putting to harness and driving and will never be persuaded that its a compromise that ought to be made in any circumstances. I'd personally give up driving if I didn't have a helping hand. And in truth there's been countless times during my life when I've not driven because I've not had a 2nd person. I personally wouldn't and didn't give up horses though, I either ride or longrein.

Well, actually I think it has a LOT to do with lifestyles. How, after all, did the farmers in the old days get to town? . No different to how my parents and grandparents did it. They had work horses that were worked all day every day and doing HARD work. They were kept outside and fed hay and when they'd done a hard days ploughing a big scoop of rolled oats or barley. And if and when they had a day off from work then they were pretty relieved to just have a light drive to take their owner to town. Their job was one of total routine and they knew that job. They were not "hobby" horses to suit a lifestyle and piddling about with a light well balanced vehicle for a couple of hours a day 4 or 5 times a week at the very most. Neither were they kept stabled, rugged to the eyeballs and given a mass of high protein feed. I've friends who still work heavy horses on farms, who take tourists on drives, who deliver fruit and veg with a London Trolley, who drive holiday makers a mile out on the sand to the sea, who take an art gallery on a horse drawn vehicle. Same thing day in and day out for the horse and they know their job and could do it with no one there. (apart from the fact that in this country you are not allowed to drive commercially or off private land without a driver and a groom for each horse).

The photo shows my mother - bringing work horses back to the farm at hay time. Now I've said before she showed hackney horses in harness and those horses were used for hunting and compared to today's standards worked quite hard. She used to drive those to the village store but always had someone to give her a hand to harness up and go with her and (frequently it was one of my siblings or me!) If she didn't she took one of the big, old, tired, dumb, work horses.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v258/flodden_edge/Driving/mum.jpg

They hitched alone, they drove alone, and when they got to town, they hitched to a hitching post while they did their errands - and I would suspect that some of them probably even did it without a halter on! :D And if you read the old books you will see that even given the aforementioned radically different conditions there were frequently accidents when horses broke free from hitching posts etc. However when that happened then, said horse and vehicle wasn't going to come up against an enourmous truck loaded with goods nor a car travelling at 60 mph. And there were plenty of folks about the town that knew about horses - everyone used them for hauling and transportation, so the situation could be contained.

[MySparrow]

In the children's book Little Britches there's a neighbor who drives a team of spirited horses. When he arrives someplace he leaps off and hangs on to the reins for dear life. When he's ready to leave again he leaps on and tries to sit down before the team takes off. Not an appealing thought!

[jej]

Very interesting discussion, everyone. It's interesting hearing about different methods.

Thomas, when I put the halter under the bridle, it creates so much bulk that the fit suffers. It's hard to get the noseband done up properly, for a start. This pony has a tiny very typy head, with miniscule ears, and a very small muzzle. My halter is leather, so maybe I should look at getting a thinner nylon one made.

I could put him to in front of the stable and drive him to the ring - in fact, I think I wil try that when the weather gets better. (I am in Ontario, and we have been hit with the snow - and temperatures to -35 with the wind chill).

In better weather, I drive him two to three times a week (when I have help) and three times a week he is lunged and long reined. The long reining has helped supple him a lot (he is too small for me to ride). Question, however - the long reining and lunging work on suppling him, making the gaits more rhythmic, developing muscle and reinforcing the obedience, neither exercise is developing his "pulling ability" and his ability to balance while pulling.

Is there anything else I can do to develop him when I am working on my own?

[Cartfall]

There are a couple of things you can do to help the pony learn to pull.

1. Take a long lead line, run it through the ends of the traces/tugs with pony in full harness. You need someone to help you. You ground drive the pony from the rear. You helped has a hold of the end of the rope and leans back against the pony. This is the beginning of the pony feeling pressure and the need to lean into the harness. Do this enough times until the pony begins to lean into the harness consistently. Usually a few time is all it takes.

2. Same set up but with a quick release knot and a helper to pull it, the rope is attached to a small tire. As the pony begins to understand and become comfortable with the tire, you can increase the size of the tire, object until it is no longer an problem with the pony pulling.

My next step would be to use pvc shafts, 10 feet long connected at the end by a 4 ft cross piece. But your pony drives already you said. You can long line in these false shafts to a degree.

Once he is in the cart and you have long lined him enough to carry himself in a frame, drive him the same way and he will work out the pulling and carriage issues himself. At least that was my experience. I have done this with a young horse who carries himself nicely now and rehabbed a mare who used to know nothing about a frame. The long lining is so important and the most useful tool at your disposal. Many drivers do not understand the importance of it.

[Mngirl]

I never thought I would admit this, but I too am a one person team when it comes to putting to. Deep down, I know it is wrong and I would not dream of doing this with my youngster, not enough miles on her yet. Of course the reason for that is because I have to get help to drive her. Now my tried and true shetland mare I hitch alone all the time. Much the same way as others here do with never a problem. I am happy to know that I am not the only one!

I will say this. Disasters can happen either way when it comes right down to it.

[kearleydk]

Jej, I sort of suprised nobody has brought up "cowboy" rope halters here. These are the sort recommended and sold by Parrelli, Clinton Anderson and the like. It is easy to slip these halters off and retie them around the horse's neck as a collar.

Better yet you can find or make one from rather small cord that will not be bulky under bridle.

Ubraidit.com sells intructions along with cord in many sizes.

Dick

[SLW]

jej- just a thought, watch out how "fit" you get the pony with long lining and lunging work because you are likely to produce a very fit green pony pulling a cart. I personally like a greenie horse a little "unfit" during the training phase whether it's an under saddle greenie or a driving greenie. Also, I bought my driving halters from this gal: http://www.minihorsecde.com/SilkPurse/Halters_pony.html They are thin and fit nicely under the bridle w/ no bulk and are easy to remove.

I drive miniatures- the mopeds or scooters of the driving world- and they are cross tied in a 12 by 16 lean to when being harnessed alone by me. I suspect that if I drove an actual small pony I would comfortable harnessing alone too. Were I driving full size horses it would take time and trust for me to harness alone.

[Ashemont]

Jej, I sort of suprised nobody has brought up "cowboy" rope halters here.


My very favorite halter and practically all I use. I have 3 - two horse-sized and one for the babies and Maggie. Just note that it pays to shop around and get the good ones. The cheap ones tend to have a metal piece keeping the two ends of the rope together - on the end of the piece that you tie with. IMO this is dangerous. If the horse flings his head he can injure an eye. The ones I have do not have ANY metal on them. I also like the thin stiff ones. Light and easy to handle yet maximum control ;)

[Miss-O]

I know it's not the safest thing to do but I really do have to drive alone. I keep my horse on my own property and there is no one around to help. I don't have any near by neighbors who drive and certainly no one who I would bug every day to drive all the way over to my house just to put to with my cart. But my horse is seasoned and exceptionally calm if I had a young horse or a new to driving horse I would probably shell out the money to board at a farm where I know there are people that can help.

When I first got my harness I got one of those small brass rings that are normally used for making halters with. Only I put it on the underside of my horses noseband. That way as soon as I bridle her I can attach the cross ties to the ring and I don't have to mess around with putting a halter over or under the bridle and then taking it off.

When I go to get into the cart I stand at her head undo the cross ties and then maintain rein contact as I walk back to get into the cart. She has contact the whole time, that way if she were to spook then she would get an instantaneous correction.

But those little rings are worth their weight in gold. I wish they would make them standard on all driving bridles.

[Cartfall]

Miss-0--

As one who must drive alone, I understand why we all do what we do. But I would urge you to learn the tiny rope method that many of us use. Instant correction is not going to stop a horse who is intent on leaving. I speak from experience. I had my hands on the lines and was pulling for all I was worth., Had a header also, who got run over in the process of a spooked horse half hitched. Was NOT a pretty scene.

Good luck and good safe drives.

[cabz]

I board at Beaverwood Farm and the horses are usually hitched in the arena. There is a lead shank where the horses are tied, usually clipped to the noseband and the horses are put to. When the driver is ready to get in the vehicle, snap is undone, with driver holding reins, get in vehicle, do sitting adjustments etc and then when ready move off. I do drive around the farm by myself, but usually will not venture too far on the road without a passenger, but there other drivers at the barn, especially when fitting up, go off by themselves. Most of these horses have been in harness for quite awhile, but that does not mean something could not happen. If I have a passenger, I will get them to head my horse while I put to. Jej, where are you located in Ontario? Just wondering if you are close. Well, off to drive the horse. Today, the weather is much milder then it has been. Hopefully the airconditioning is turned off in the arena!!!!!!!!!

[2ndyrgal]

I'm really out of the loop. Broke and trained Standardbreds at the track for years. 90% of them could be "hooked" solo, and there were only a few that wouldn't stand while being checked up. As long as you didn't check them up, honestly, you could walk back over to the shed row, get your helmet and sunglasses, walk back over, pick up your lines and jump in the cart. Now to the race bike, we did check them up going to race, but the overcheck was usually much higher, easier to have the driver in the bike and the groom check them up. But we hooked them solo, in a piddly little set of cross ties, in a tiny little open fronted stall, next to 10 other horses, surrounded by all kinds of commotion. then just walked beside them til the driver was up. These horses would stand, for the most part quietly, in cross ties forever. But unless it's a fancy rig, or multiple horses, I can't understand why a well trained harness horse wouldn't just stand still. I am not talking hackney show ponies or saddlebreds here, I'm talking the pleasure driving and cross country, obstacle types. Any horse can be taught to stand if one takes enough time, and I'm pretty sure that if you couldn't teach him to stand still, unless he made me a pile of money at the track, I'm not real interested in sitting behind him. I think if you are at the horse's home base, the place he's used to, unless you're hooking a team, or a greenie, he should stand til you tell him to move off. I have a nearly 18 hand draft cross (very green) that I have to mount from a mounting platform. He's coming 7. I got him as an unbroken 3 yr old. His first lesson was "stand". His second lesson was "whoa". Whoa means "now, I mean it, move another toe and die big boy". Armed with stand and then whoa, we have no problems at all, Nor did any of the babies I trained for the track. Left and right are the easy things, Go is pretty easy to encourage. Whoa is the most important gait, no matter what the discipline. Of course it's much more fun to work on the other stuff first, which is why folks have trouble later on.

[Aptor Hours]

I always hitched my ASB by myself,however, he had been driving 2 or 3 times weekly since he was three years old and he was rock solid. I always was careful though just in case. My routine was harness except blinkers in stall then place cart in indoor ring, then get horse park him in front of cart say whoa and get cart run it up on him do up the proper harnes procedures. Oh I put his blinkers on right before I run the cart up on him. I then make sure everything is correctly hooked, park him out and hop in cart and walk off. Take a few turns around indoor and go outside if the weather was nice otherwise stay inside. He continues to be an angel...thank goodness.