Several breeds such as the Saddlebreds, Friesians, Welsh Ponies and Boerperde, offer driving classes and ridden classes at their shows. Often individual horses are both ridden and driven competitively. One may ask the question: Of what benefit is driving to horses of other disciplines, and how does regular schooling under saddle influence the driving horse?

Contrary to what many people think, there are different styles of training when it comes to driving. The tack used, type and weight of carriages, setting of the head and neck, movement asked for and focus in training, depends on the ultimate goal of your driving.

Competitive driving classes can be divided into dressage, cones, cross-country, English showing and performance showing, in which there are sub-divisions based on the level of training and type of horse. One may even choose to drive for leasure and join organised driving outrides.

In general, the type of work a top polo, racing, eventing or jumping horse does, is not similar to the type of muscles a driving horse develops. So even though driving correctly would not work against their schooling, most trainers would agree that driving them as an aid to enhancing their performance under saddle, would not be the best use of time spent working them.

Vee Laros, owner of Phaeton Park, has been involved with riding and driving horses for 40 years. According to her, driving is good for fitness and to bombproof a horse, although a horse destined to become a top level dressage or jumping horse, would not necessarily benefit.

"The temperament and conformation of many Thoroughbreds and showjumpers are not suited to driving. Carriage work is also done mainly at the trot, so their canters would not be developed sufficiently," says Vee.

Different reasons

"Driving is useful for a pony whose rider has outgrown him, since he can then find a new career as a driving pony in order for the partnership to continue in a new way."

Vee also says that people riding mainly for pleasure, may enjoy a dual-purpose horse who can be ridden and driven for fun. A rider who chooses to give up riding due to health problems or a lack of confidence in the saddle, may choose to continue his contact with horses through driving.

Most Saddlebred trainers ride and drive their horses, as they see the benefit of "jogging" (or driving) a horse for fitness and as a variation to work under saddle. Some trainers prefer to ride a horse most of the time, only occasionally jogging their horses or driving them in their "off" season.

Others will drive a young horse as part of the basic training after breaking in, sometimes even driving before they’re broken to saddle, as a way of strengthening their bodies and developing stamina without weight on their backs. Those horses destined to show in harness, obviously spend more time training in harness, but even they are often ridden to complement their driving skills.

Different ways

Cobus Oosthuizen, vice-chairman of the North Gauteng Saddle Horse Union, says there are different ways of driving: One can work the horse to enhance his movement with short periods in harness, or concentrate more on endurance with longer sessions.

"In both cases," he reminds us, "you don’t want the horse to just trot idly and fall on the forehand. He should always engage from behind and boldly step out." The Saddlers pull lightweight jogging carts which encourage free play, lightness and looseness in the horse’s movement, as opposed to a heavier cart requiring more strength and effort to pull.

Izak Vollgraaff, well-known trainer based in Nieuwoudtsville, encourages endurance riders to drive as a way of getting their horses fit, with less wear and tear on their joints and back from the weight of a rider. Medium to long distances can comfortably be covered in the cart, toughening up the legs, strengthening the heart and lungs, and breaking the monotony of riding long distances for both horse and rider, by adding variation to the work.

"A correctly trained and handled horse will not get confused by riding and driving," says Maureen Beyers, owner of Terrouges Stables. She has been riding and driving horses competitively for over 40 years. She has horses that she lunges, drives, jumps and does novice dressage with, and includes trotting poles and outrides in their training.

Different skills

"Riding benefits a horse’s driving skills, helping to keep his body supple and his mouth soft and responsive," she says, although she adds that if your goal is to have a top level dressage horse, driving him is not that important.

Rodney Foster, an internationally experienced competition carriage driver with 15 years competitive experience, also agrees with ­Maureen, and most of his driving horses do their work in snaffles. He emphasises that ­driving in itself does not cause a horse to ­develop a hard mouth, like some people believe. Hard hands and bad driving ruin the mouth.

"My horses are controllable and responsive, capable of collection and extension on 'soft' bits. The horses are also trained to the voice."

Driving correctly is important, since driving has its risks like any other discipline. An inexperienced driver may overtax a horse, resulting in injuries and strains. He may not know how to deal correctly with an emergency situation or may not know how to apply the basic safety rules regarding tack, cart upkeep and the actual driving and training of the horse.

Although driving is great fun, keep in mind that you need to be proficient in driving, or learn under the guidance of an instructor before deciding to harness your endurance or show horse for the first time!