On 16/06/07, Rene Adams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Is there a specific age to wait for to drive your icelandic with a cart? I > have started driving my 2 year old with just driving reins. First 5 minutes > he wonder what I was doing and after that just went along like he had years > of experience. These wonderful horses, they make teaching such a positive > experience. I know we wait for around 4 to 5 to ride is it the same in > driving with a cart?
Yes it is. When we joined our driving club, one of the most important purchases when getting harness is to get a good saddle pad or back pad. You want one that has a good channel for the spine with lots of padding. The reason being when a horse is pulling a cart, there can be just as much pressure on his/her back as if they were carrying a rider. This is why prudent owners wait until the horse is at least 4 before starting to train to pull a cart or carry a rider. AND some horses need to wait until they are five before they are fully physically mature. It's fun though. We just started our Gusti in harness this past winter, he'll be 8 in August. Wanda
