Pony driving is becoming more and more popular, not just as a sport but for pleasure driving as well. The Dartmoor Pony is a very popular pony for driving in its native country of England and while it is still considered to be rare outside of the country, they are certainly represented in driving competitions around the world.
Training a Dartmoor Pony to drive can be a lengthy experience but it can have a rewarding and enjoyable outcome for both pony and rider. Thanks to the extraordinary temperament and intelligence of the Dartmoor, these charming ponies take to driving very well, but there are a few tips to keep in mind with training a Dartmoor Pony for driving.
Balance is probably the most important part of training a pony for driving. As a pony grows, it develops its own sense of balance, but this can be turned upside down with the simple addition of weight on the back. The best way to improve balance is to ride over as much undulating terrain as possible. As Dartmoors are best suited for children or small adults, those that are too large to ride these small wonders should consider letting the pony go out on long reins and train using the technique of fanned semi-circles. With the proper training, a Dartmoor should be able to perform a 180-degree turn with no difficulty.
It is important to remember that training ponies for driving is not very different from training for dressage - after all, "dressage" comes from the French word for training - and the principle of guiding the pony is nearly the same. When riding, we guide the pony though the squeezing or vibrating of the muscles in our inner legs. In driving, we create the same sensation for the pony with the use of the whip. The classic approach to guiding while driving is to hold the reins in one hand and guide with the whip with the other, with a series of vibrating or tapping.
There are a wide variety of driving disciplines and some training techniques will depend on which disciplines the rider prefers. Pleasure driving obviously will take the least amount of training, while combined driving is an internationally recognized competitive sport which is comprised of three sections; a dressage class which is arena based and where control and precision are emphasized; a "marathon" cross-country portion that emphasizes endurance and fitness; and an obstacle course called "stadium" or "cones."
More and more Dartmoor Ponies are finding themselves in the winner's circle in international driving competitions. Notably, Tracy Morgan won the Silver Medal in Pairs Dressage at the World Pony Championships in 2007 and more Dartmoors are finding their way to the winner's circle all the time. These ponies can be trained to drive and win. If you are interested in learning more about training your Dartmoor Pony for driving, please consider consulting a professional trainer or the stud where you purchased your Dartmoor, as many studs do also perform training services.
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