Question to people that know about driving disciplines

[Malakai10]

So, I'll start off by admitting that the extent of my knowledge about driving is that, clearly, drivers have some sort of mystical power because how do you control them when you're so far away and you just sort of seem to have reins and your voice. wizardry

Now that that's out of the way, I have a question to ask: can you hitch a pair of horses with a fairly large difference in height and build together to pull a horse-drawn vehicle? Say, a horse of about 15-16hh with a light, hotblood-type build and a large, draught horse (a Clydesdale, perhaps) of 18-19hh? If not, why not? Is it awkward to drive such a different pair of horses (if it's possible)?

[Hazel]

I do have some knowledge about driving, but I've only driven matched teams! (Often a mare and her adult foal. Driving is often a family affair ^^)

This forum thread has some thoughts tho... https://www.ruralheritage.com/new_rh_we ... rent-sizes

[BlackOak2]

So, I'll start off by admitting that the extent of my knowledge about driving is that, clearly, drivers have some sort of mystical power because how do you control them when you're so far away and you just sort of seem to have reins and your voice. wizardry

Now that that's out of the way, I have a question to ask: can you hitch a pair of horses with a fairly large difference in height and build together to pull a horse-drawn vehicle? Say, a horse of about 15-16hh with a light, hotblood-type build and a large, draught horse (a Clydesdale, perhaps) of 18-19hh? If not, why not? Is it awkward to drive such a different pair of horses (if it's possible)?

From my limited experience, it's very difficult driving a team that is considerably un-matched. I do know that there is a driving horse, the 'leader', if I'm correct in that, and then the other horse would be one that follows. If you have more than a pair, then the horse's right in front of the driver are called wheel horses and those wheel horses are generally even MUCH larger or bulkier than the others. They need to have much more strength, well, relatively more strength and can get away with much less speed or agility. The wheel horses pull the bulk weight of the carriage.

They also need to be paired up well, so that they sync up with each other. If you want to give yourself a little hands-on understanding, take a broom, put it on the other side of an immovable object, like a pole. Then with a hand on either side, make one hand pull more.
When driving, you want your horses to pull evenly on that broom. If you have one pulling more, or applying more pressure, you get an uneven pull and that affects a lot more than just a wayward broomstick.

So sync-up, strength management and even height can all play decently large parts in pairing horses up. Right alongside horses that will tolerate a cart behind them and even tolerate their paired partner.

Smaller horses and lighter carts matter less than larger horses and heavier carts. Well... relatively so. Plus, carts are often made to fit only certain heights of horses. So that's also an issue.

In the scenario you gave, the height may not matter too much, though there is quite a bit of difference, they're both still quite large. The problem in your scenario would be the build, not necessarily the temperament, although temperament could play a part. They clyd would simply out-pull or out-drive the other. Or simply do all the work, ruin the equipment, meanwhile the light-build horse would just look pretty.

That's about as far as my knowledge extends. I know next-to nothing and just enough to get myself into trouble.

But that link Hazel attached looks good. I already learned a few things.

[Malakai10]

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Thanks so much!!

[LilyTromp]

Can you hitch a pair of horses with a fairly large difference in height and build together to pull a horse-drawn vehicle? Say, a horse of about 15-16hh with a light, hotblood-type build and a large, draught horse (a Clydesdale, perhaps) of 18-19hh?

Of course you can. You can adjust your horses, harness and reins so that they will appear to work equally hard. Which is a lot of work, but can be done. For a recreational pair it's good enough. But if you want to compete in any sort of way it's not recommended. Than you would like a pair that's similar in size, build and appearence.

If you have a draught and warmblood combination I would suggest a tandem pair, with a draught pulling the carriage and the warmblood being the looker in front.

[Malakai10]

Can you hitch a pair of horses with a fairly large difference in height and build together to pull a horse-drawn vehicle? Say, a horse of about 15-16hh with a light, hotblood-type build and a large, draught horse (a Clydesdale, perhaps) of 18-19hh?

Of course you can. You can adjust your horses, harness and reins so that they will appear to work equally hard. Which is a lot of work, but can be done. For a recreational pair it's good enough. But if you want to compete in any sort of way it's not recommended. Than you would like a pair that's similar in size, build and appearence.

If you have a draught and warmblood combination I would suggest a tandem pair, with a draught pulling the carriage and the warmblood being the looker in front.

Okay, thanks!!