How Do I Break a Shetland to Drive?

A Shetland pony pulling a cart in a parade or stepping out in the show ring is a beautiful sight. Originally bred to pull carts in coal mines, Shetlands are ideally suited to driving. The American Shetland Pony Club encourages owners to get involved in driving by offering competitions in pleasure and obstacle driving. Whether you want to enjoy a leisurely drive with your pony or to excel in competition, training your pony carefully will ensure years of safe and happy driving.

Things You'll Need

  • Bridle with snaffle bit
  • 2 lunge lines
  • Driving whip
  • Plastic bags, umbrellas, balloons, or other bright objects
  • Surcingle
  • Car tire and ropes
  • Pony-sized driving rig
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Instructions

    • 1

      Attach a lunge line to the pony's bridle. Using voice commands and gentle pressure from the driving whip, teach a pony to move forward, stop, back up, turn and step over on command.

    • 2

      Introduce the pony to the many sites and sounds it will encounter while driving. Using a reassuring voice and body language, lead the pony up to a scary object, such as a blowing plastic bag, an open umbrella or helium balloons tied to a fence. Increase exposure until the pony tolerates these encounters without spooking.

    • 3

      Attach one lunge line to each side of the pony's bit. Thread the lines through the rings on the sides of a driving surcingle. Stand behind the pony. Repeat the ground training commands from Step 1 while walking behind the pony. A handler can stand at the pony's head to help until the pony understands the commands.

    • 4

      Tack the pony up in the harness. Ground drive the pony in the harness until it is used to the sound and feel of the new equipment.

    • 5

      With the pony in harness, attach a drag, such as a tire, to the pulling surcingle. Ground drive the pony while it pulls the drag, allowing the pony to become accustomed to the feeling of pulling something behind it.

    • 6

      Hitch the pony into the cart. Lead the pony from the bridle until it is used to having the cart behind it. Work on basic commands while the pony pulls the cart.

    • 7

      In an enclosed area, drive the pony while you are seated in the cart, reinforcing the forward, stop and turning commands with the reins and driving whip.

    • 8

      As the pony becomes more reliable, drive it in varied environments and over different terrains. This process will ensure that the pony is safe and comfortable in all situations.