I'm a bit surprised at the direction this thread took after the first few posts. Of course you can't learn to drive from a forum, but it always boggles me when the only response people get to "Theoretically, how do I..." is "Go find a trainer, it would be irresponsible of me to dole out any knowledge." If they HAD a trainer or knew how to recognize a good one, they probably wouldn't be asking the question in the first place!
There are so many wacko "horse trainers" out there it scares the living bejeebies out of me. At least on here the person can pick through the advice they receive without putting their horses at the mercy of the only yahoo who happens to live in their area and maybe pick up some tips that would help them recognize a good trainer or learn how to find one. MiLo had some useful advice on things to ask someone you're interested in and I thoroughly agree with her.
That said, pair driving can be a lot of fun but is made even more fun by knowing your horses are properly aducated and ready for it. I know draft drivers will often start a pair by putting a green horse with an experienced buddy but I'm one of those who thinks it's better if each horse knows his job before he's asked to add the additional complication of a pole, coupling reins, and a heavier load. I'd start the greenie individually and when she's solid on all her gaits, voice commands, standing quietly, pulling, and maneuvering a cart you can try putting her with her stallion friend.
Jill said:
There are too many people doling out advice online when 90% of their "experience" has come from reading vs. doing. Some of those people need some different horses to work with and to really teach them all they think they learned from reading books and looking at harnessing charts.
That is true, but on the other hand there are lots of so-called "trainers" who turn out dozens of horses a year but never take the time to read and educate themselves or take any horse further than "get between the shafts and don't freak out."
A well-rounded horseman worth listening to educates himself from as many sources as possible, tries what seems reasonable to him, and refines his training based on what works for him and his horses. That may mean books, online mentors, in person mentors, clinicians...any source of knowledge is valuable if the information is good!
Leia
Edited for better phrasing