Breaking an older horse to harness - Barry Hook Horse Drawn Promotions

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This 14 year old Lipizzaner mare was sent to us to be broken to drive. Here we show her progress after 5 weeks training with us, being driven in a rubber bit in heavy traffic and on country roads. We explain our bitting philosophy and about certain driving bits and also why we do not believe in using kicking straps. This mare's owner bought a carriage and harness which we put her in at the end of her training. Breaking an older horse to drive can be done providing they are physically capable of doing the work they are asked to do. We put this mare in a 2 wheeler and a 4 wheeler and built up her fitness gradually as appropriate for an older horse.
Horse Drawn Promotions - Breaking horses to harness.
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[@08emaher]

She seems to really enjoy her new job. you know you've done training the right way when a horse really enjoys their work like she is!

[@ldg2655]

She truly seems like she is enjoying her job...... What a nice mare..

[@barryhook2]

Barry has definitely been both ends of the job - at 5/6, he bunked off school to go with the local scrap man and his horse and cart; he has also groomed for Mr Sanders Watney, driven coaching teams for private owners and ran his own commercial horse-drawn carriage business. Throughout all of this, he broke horses for himself and others. Barry is in his 60s now and when he was 18 he worked with an old man at Youngs Brewery in London who was a master of his craft.

[@barbhorses]

Once again I really wish I lived near you so that I could send my horses to you for training!

[@Imarmio]

I think the horse is so relaxed because of the feeling of relaxation through the reins from the driver

[@monicafranklin7811]

The horse is so relaxed and steady in this video. Amazing! Good work!

[@0Templegoddess]

Its nice to see a older horse working, as long as their healthy and happy to work you should keep them working as long as you can, my Arab is 28 this year and he still loves to hack and train. As for bits I agree the harsh bits are not needed like the military driver but i've been riding my horse in a smooth curb bar Pelham for 10 years and he's never batted an eyelid. But i guess it's what your horse feels most comfotable thats important. BTW BIG fan :)

[@rrrrrr-ry3cn]

She looks so happy

[@lindarogers8994]

Got my 14 hh gypsy cob in a Liverpool but he has a soft mouth and always thought it was to severe, he's brilliant with voice commands and very little contact on the bit. Like you said people think it's the norm to use a Liverpool plus you get those that tell you "you've got to have something in his mouth to stop him" he's built like a brick shit house and nothing would stop him if he did one, as you said, I'll definitely get a rubber Liverpool or convert his existing bit. Absolutely brilliant videos thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience with us all. Regards

[@biddiemutter3481]

I hope more people are using softer bits than they were ten years ago

[@barryhook2]

This man learnt his trade over 100yrs ago when horses were still the main motive power on the streets, so it was a great opportunity for Barry to learn from people who actually knew/worked with horses for a living. You can learn from everybody - Barry’s always tried to keep an open mind and take the best out of what he experienced throughout his life. So he has not learnt a “specific” method from one person, but learnt many things from different people and his own experience working with horses.

[@barryhook2]

We've been asked many times (and offered lots of money) to write books about how to break horses, but we believe every horse is an individual; the best method for one may be unsuitable for another. We have many enquiries from people who want help because they followed the “A-Z” method laid down in various “how to break a horse” books/articles/videos and it has gone wrong because their horse hasn’t followed the step by step instructions - the books don’t tell you what to do when it goes wrong!

[@RideTheLightningSandwich]

What kind of cart is that , the two wheel, where you go through the water. I wanted to find something similar for my horse. thank you

[@mesatop5]

My Tennessee Walking Horse is 10 years old, and driving is on our bucket list. I got her last year, just before my 62nd birthday. If I'm not too old to pick up some new skills, neither is she! Aleta & Lacey, Southern California (USA)

[@barryhook2]

Barry says a book is a wonderful thing if the horse could read, therefore it would understand what you want it to do! People seem to want a “foolproof”, basic method that works for any horse. However in our opinion there is no such thing as “a foolproof” method for every horse because every one has different needs and therefore needs different training - tailoring the training to suit that particular horse in order to make him safe, confident and happy in any sphere of harness work.

[@claretollerton9715]

If you out driving your horse when flies and bees and wasp and hornets are active you're better to spray fly repellent all over the horses body to avoid bites and kicking and rearing. Lovely mare reminds me of steady old boy roly not phased enjoys her run out .

[@lsvssll]

Great video as always, and very informative.You make it look so easy! I drive a Frisean (10 yo) but I am afraid of driving him on a ruber bit, he is usually very calm and gentle but I have had a few bad moments with him spooking and running. It seems that your method is to desensitize the horse through repeated exposure to many events in a controlled environment first and then in the road, but could you explain what you do when the horse spooks and run.

[@sambur6480]

Is it harder to break older horses ?

[@barryhook2]

Hi Sam, it depends on the horse! Some take to a 'new job' very well, others have old habits such as 'getting their own way' and find it harder to adjust. In terms of physicality, thought must be given to the fact their muscles may not be used to working in the manner required for driving, therefor conditioning may take longer.

[@jeanviarengo231]

Other drivers have called a kicking strap a "$75.00 piece of insurance" after telling of a horror story of a well trained, experienced horse being attacked by hornets at his belly and sheath. Is there something wrong or bad with using a kicking strap?

[@cooper68ns]

what a great pic at 12:30.fantastic. all the best from N.S can.

[@PercheronAppLVR]

Perfect! Great information ..I just hitched my 4yr old Fjord to the cart 2 days ago. She did amazing. We ride in a bitless bridle ..she's very light and responsive to just that but once we move out to larger areas and the road I'd like her in the rubber bit. She's also been ridden in a jointed snaffle so she is used to having a bit in her mouth. I'm a subscriber to your channel and new to driving. I love watching your videos and ppl who send their horses to you don't know just how fortunate they are! The video and commentary you provide for them is fabulous- not to mention the common sense and understanding you have of these wonderful animals. Now I likely know what your response will be but I'm wondering what your opinion is on (loosely adjusted) overchecks/sidechecks?

[@barryhook2]

Thanks for your comments; glad you enjoy watching the films! We don't believe in using overchecks or sidechecks but we do sometimes use side reins with elastic if we need to work on a horse's head carriage. We mainly have to use side reins if a horse has already been mouthed before it comes to us (as many people mouth in a metal bit or stick their horse straight in a metal Liverpool when they start driving "because it is a driving bit"). We never use the side reins to "hold" a horse's head in a certain position, but merely to offer guidance as to where they should keep their head, which offers a more consistent reference point than the driver's hands on the reins (taking into account how much movement the horse has within the confines of the harness for example coming out of draft when going downhill). The side reins are always loose when the horse has his head in the "right" position, are always used with soft elastic (so they are never "fixed" hard but will give easily if the horse applies pressure to them) and we always aim to have the horse driving with no restriction on his head at all during the final stages of training. The horse should be able to put his head down in order to pull more effectively (overchecks prevent this) or freely from side to side and he should be well-mannered (or well-trained) enough not to constantly put his head down to eat grass (which is another reason people use them). Bearing reins here are sometimes used in the show ring; they say it allows the horse to step better and prevents them stumbling but in our opinion the horse either has good step or it doesn't - why restrain its head to such a degree in order to force it to pick its knees up just to look "flashy"? Also if the horse trips or stumbles it gets a smack in the mouth with the bit as it is held there on the fixed bearing rein or overcheck - better to have a soft bit and soft elastic that gives if the horse accidentally puts pressure on it. In my opinion horses go (and look) better with no restrictions on their heads and in soft bits without the driver pulling on their mouths for all they are worth, but then our priority is the horse's training and his welfare, not a judge's opinion and winning a red rosette. Its the same reason why we don't believe in using metal bits; lots of people drive in Liverpools because they are "driving bits",or they need something to apply brakes to stop him (time for more training rather than a severe bit in my opinion) or they use overchecks/kicking straps etc because they come with the harness/ "its what everyone else uses" - we prefer to look at the horse's training and how best to get him happy and confident on a loose rein, in a soft bit, where he is free to move his head if he wishes but is happy to remain in a nice outline, which shows he is doing it because he is being asked to, rather than because he is being forced to. This film Retraining a hard-mouthed horse to drive in a soft kind bit. shows a horse that had been driven in an overcheck (he had been raced) during reschooling with us; at the end of the video I look at the side reins in more detail and explain how they are fitted and why we are using them on that particular horse.

[@lisspen123]

brilliant video,i like your ethic`s regarding bitting,why not rubber?could i ask been a bit nosey were Barry learnt his trade?and have you ever considered a book ?

[@DianeStPeter]

Are these thinner rubber bits available for purchase?

[@lspthrattan]

What's the speed limit for car traffic on the roads you use with the horses?

[@barryhook2]

Ranges from 20mph to National Speed Limit (so on Dual Carriageways that's 70mph) with everything in between. We do a lot on 30mph and 60mph roads.

[@lulubelleish]

Very Nice Thanks

[@pix4434]

Where do you get your bits? Im wanting to train my 6 year old gelding to drive but he has a sensitive mouth, & Im thinking that a rubber mouthed bit would be the way to go. I do all my training naturally, & let my horse tell me when he is ready for the next step. If you dont want to post your answer on here please private message me. I live in the USA. Thanks!

[@equinefever]

hi . how do i contact you to train a very similar mare? thanking you in anticipation...

[@lynnehuff9659]

What a beautiful mare. What kind of horse is she? I like her looks a lot.

[@leslied125]

Lipizzan