Also - google "equine DVD rental" or some such. I believe there are 2 DVD companies that specialize in renting, thru the mail, DVDs for horse folk. You could rent them in succession and decide which ones are relevant to you (you will start picking up on that, trust me) and then could purchase your own so that you can watch them again and again whenever necessary.
I haven't tried that out yet.
What I like about the 1st two books I mentioned as well - they are both under $20. The others I mentioned - are substantially more but also have many, many more pages of detailed info and pictures, pictures, pictures.
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WOW!! Just went out to Amazon and they have a WHOLE BUNCH of "new" driving books I haven't seen and I don't remember coming up on my searches in the not so distant past!!
They also have that Doris Ganton book for $10.90 if you have amazon prime (which I do)... Low enough you might be able to do more than one book at a time. (We have a vast & varied LIBRARY - our whole family LIKES getting books. We all drool over whatever anyone has ordered - well my family not so much when I get the driving books, LOL)
OK instead of listing books right now, I'm just going to do links to pages/sites that have books for sale - some the same and some VERY different. LOTS of driving books out there these days. I don't favor the Allen pictorial books (drawn) - they might work for children, but some of the concepts to/for me are dangerous and there just isn't that much info in them. They aren't expensive, but I'd personally recommend saving that money and applying it to some of the other books instead. I haven't seen the Allen pictorials done with photos before...
The first two are advertisers here on
LB -
Ozark Mtn Mini Horse Tack - Driving books
Star Lake Tack - Books
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Mischka Press - Part of Rural Heritage, but lots of GOOD DRIVING books, videos and DVDs.
Big Black Horse LLC - Driving books - good selection of all types - some I haven't seen before
Carriage and Driving - Books
Driving Essentials - I have been to a clinic that featured him as a clinician and have been on several driving forums that he writes on when he has time. VERY informative, answers questions etc. The clinic I saw/went to was more advanced and much of what was discussed and worked with was "way above" where I was at the time, but I DID take some info home from it and that little bit made a HUGE difference in the response of some of my driving ponies. If/when I can, I will attend other functions he instructs at!!
Wild Horse Books & Art - Driving Books - some I haven't seen before! Nice selection.
Mini Horse & Pony Tack Guide - Has a harnessing video using a mini horse - but doesn't actually cover placement of the harness, breeching or any adjustments for correct fit...
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In MHO - the two most important "gaits" and words you can teach your horse are "WHOA" and "STAND". And that starts long before driving does.
A simple "Rein Board" goes a long way in teaching you how to handle the lines and a whip BEFORE you handle your horse(s). Can be as simple as using small water bottles filled w/ water or sand, attached to some type of lines to practice with and draped over a fence rail to use. The lines from your harness (if you already have one), leather reins from "biggies"/riding, leadropes for minis that match in type, weight and length. The leadropes I favor (longer, thicker w/ heavy duty snaps are too heavy, imo, to use for practice -well they WOULD strengthen your arms/hands!!
I am not a show horse trainer and if your eventual goal is to show in AMHR or ASPC - you really should get together w/ a trainer/instructor that teaches that from the beginning. There are differences - in what/how you drive and in training/presenting your horse.
