Although not the most common use of the breed, the Australian Pony makes an excellent small driving pony that is very flashy in the harness and possesses all the qualities to make it a wonderful light harness pony. Typically the Australian Pony will be driven in a two or four wheeled buggy or carriage type hitch, depending on the number of ponies in the team. Two and four pony hitches are used for larger four wheeled buggies and carriages whereas a single pony hitch is typical of a surrey type buggy or a smaller two wheeled buggy. The harnesses can be elaborate and ornate to elegant and simple depending on the type of presentation the driver is trying to achieve. Since the Australian Pony is often gray in color a dark black harness and black carriage or buggy with bright red, green, blue or purple ribbons and decorations on the harness, driver and horses really makes an eye catching presentation.
Training a pony to drive requires specialized types of training exercises as well as patience and a willingness to work at the pony's level of comfort. Avoiding any type of stress, trauma or fear in the harness is the most important aspect of training. The biggest problem for many ponies and horses when being trained in harness is not the harness itself, it is the actually buggy or carriage which can be seen as threat that is always approaching behind them, no matter how fast they try to get away. Some trainers prefer to use a closed bridle or headstall, which prevents the horse or pony from seeing to the rear, but this still leaves the sound of the buggy or carriage to deal with. Many trainers prefer starting with an open headstall or bridle so the pony become accustom to both the sight and sounds of the buggy, then moving to a closed bridle if desired after the pony has overcome his or her fears.
A driving pony is typically trained under saddle before they are exposed to working with the harness. Often the saddle and bridle are used in conjunction with the harness to help the pony make the transition. Working on a lunge line or in a round pen on long rein driving will be the first step in both desensitizing the pony to the harness as well as having them learn to respond to the long reins from the ground. The drag or the poles of the harness are then introduced and the pony is desensitized both to their contact with the ponies body as well as the sounds of the tack and the pulling feeling when the drag or shafts are pulled on the ground.
Once the pony is comfortable with all this, the next step is to use a light cart behind the harness and shafts. Usually the cart is only minimally attached and can be immediately removed if the pony becomes nervous or frightened. Training periods are very short and typically the pony only has to take a few steps with the cart, stop, then move forward again in a straight line. Once the pony is comfortable cornering and more complex maneuvers are added to the training routine.
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