Driving Training
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Minis, Ponies,
Horses and Drafts Singles and Pairs Combined Driving Driving Lessons |
 Robert driving Luca: Photo by Charles Shannon |
Robert Shannon works with all sizes and ages of horses from drafts to miniatures, for both single and pairs driving. He also teaches driving lessons to people who do not have horses in training at the stable. Whether the goal is pure recreation, combined driving events or pleasure driving shows, he will tailor the horse's training to fit the owner's needs.
Driving horses trained by Mr. Shannon can be found in all facets of the sport. His pleasure driving horses have earned many state awards, such as the Oregon Horseman's Association Champion Reinsmanship Award in 2004 and Reserve Champion in 2005. He also won the Musical Freestyle Dressage class at the Oregon State Fair the first year they offered the class. Besides several current competitors in combined and pleasure driving, he has trained two pairs to pull Civil War reenactment artillery limbers with cannon in the period "Postillion" style. These horses participate in battle reenactments throughout Oregon and Southwest Washington as well as parades and equine expos. They are now beginning work to make the two pair into a team of four. Shannon also trained a pair of Shires that participate in agricultural demonstrations at Champoeg State Park.
Shannon uses gentle training techniques that allow the horse to learn at its own pace. He gradually introduces the horse to the harness, then the feel and idea of having a cart behind it, and finally hooks the horse to the cart. Generally it takes 30 days or more to begin teaching your horse to pull the cart, but every horse is different and he makes no promises on a timetable. It also takes careful conditioning to get the horses fit enough to pull for long distances, since they use different muscles in pulling and their center of balance is slightly different than in riding horses. Of course a horse can be both a driving and riding horse: in fact, many horses that are taught to drive actually improve their skills under saddle. Driving makes the horse more confident, independent and responsive to voice and rein aids. They also must learn to work off of their hind end, so they are lighter on the forehand.
