Horse Drawn Promotions - Breaking Horses to Harness; Barry Hook

16/02/2025

Tough Love - Can the Owner Handle the Horse?

A Valentine's Day special! Sometimes because we love our horses so much, we can let them 'get away' with things a little too often and allow them to get into bad habits at home.

These old habits can die hard and if a horse comes to us who may be a little too used to 'getting their own way' at home with their owners, it can give us some challenges when they arrive with us for training.

Usually they turn over a new leaf and begin behaving as we would like with a few weeks of training - especially on the ground - but the important thing is can the owner continue to 'keep them there' once they go home?

12/02/2025

Confidence Building in Ground Training with Welsh Stallion Comet

Here's another video showing some of the confidence-buidling work we did on the ground with 'superstar' Comet, the Welsh Stallion.

A common question we get is what do we do with our students before they go into a carriage, so watch on to find out some of the things we may do first. Or last. Or somewhere in-between! Remember all horses are individuals, so it may be we do a completely different set of confidence-building exercises with one horse that another horse might not need or benefit from.

Here's another video showing some of the confidence-buidling work we did on the ground with 'superstar' Comet, the Welsh Stallion.A common question we get is...

02/02/2025

We've had some questions about what groundwork we do with our horses during their training, so here's a little glimpse into some of the things we might do with our students whilst they are with us. On this occasion, making use of a rainy morning to give Comet some extra confidence training.

We've had some questions about what groundwork we do with our horses during their training, so here's a little glimpse into some of the things we might do wi...

26/01/2025

Why We Don't Teach 'Party Tricks' to Our Horses...

During Part Two of Smokie the cob's first trip out on the roads, Barry tells a story that explains why we don't teach our horses 'party tricks' here at HDP.

Let us know what you think. Is there a time and a place, or should they be avoided altogether?

https://youtu.be/pLfeohamoaA

19/01/2025

We've probably all put on a bit of extra 'winter weight' over Christmas and for some it's the same issue with our horses!

Here's a throwback to last summer, when we had the lovely (rather 'cuddly'!) Smokie the cob in for training.

Listen to hear how we tried to make his training and fittening up as enjoyable as possible for him. This is a two part film, so tune in next time to see how the rest of his first trip out solo on the roads goes!

We've probably all put on a bit of extra 'winter weight' over Christmas and for some it's the same issue with our horses!Here's a throwback to last summer, w...

12/01/2025

At What Age Do We Start Working a Horse?

Is one of your goals for 2025 to start working your youngster? At what age should you start thinking about introducing a heavier workload?

The answer to this question may vary depending on who you ask, but as you may have heard on our other videos, we are very strict on the age we start to give horses "proper" work. Watch on to find out why we adjust and recommend workload depending on the individual animal and do not just use a 'one method suits all' approach.

https://youtu.be/TzXwnNVSDS0

31/12/2024

Another year has gone by with lots of horses trained, lots of people met and lots of safe, confident and happy miles done in soft, rubber bits.

Here's a look back at some of our highlights!

Join our "Carrot and Coffee Club" to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOGU3qUK3Tp-2db9XjdQB5w/joinIf you like what we do, send us a brew!...

25/12/2024

Thank-you for all your comments, likes and shares over the past year!

Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year, from all of us here at HDP.

Thank-you for all your comments, likes and shares over the past year! Here's wishing you all a Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year, from all of us here at H...

15/12/2024

Meet Warre! He's another lovely stallion we had in for training this year, but this time a Friesian one.

His story is a little different to our usual training from scratch or retraining due to issues issues. He was fully and very well trained for riding and driving by his owner at home and just came to us for some confidence building, some polishing and some exposing to things that just aren't so readily found way up in the north of Scotland.

He also learnt to work in a pair and a unicorn whilst he was with us, up alongside other horses - including Cloud, who he took quite a shine too initially! You can also hear Barry explain a bit about some of the 'extra tack' we use in this situation.

https://youtu.be/saAaQTC0Rio

08/12/2024

Another riding video for you this week! This time, it's Penny the cob who we've been following learning to drive over the past few weeks.

Do you think she was any less explosive during the early days of her riding training?!

https://youtu.be/NGU3NIPmO3s

02/12/2024

You've seen him driving, now see him under saddle!

Comet the Welsh stallion came to us for ride and drive training this summer and as you can see, did very well at it!

You've seen him driving, now see him under saddle!Comet the Welsh stallion came to us for ride and drive training this summer and as you can see, did very we...

24/11/2024

You met Faxi last week in his ridden training video - now see him driving!

Here he is just at the start of his single driving training. Hear what Barry has to say about him and his progress so far and what the plan is for him on his journey to become a ride and drive pony.

If you like Faxi, you'll be pleased to hear there will be plenty more to see of him up alongside our schoolmaster, Cloud, over the next few weeks.

https://youtu.be/xcfyXVzvBPA

17/11/2024

Enjoy just over 5 minutes of Faxi the Icelandic Pony learning to ride - you'll be seeing lots more of him in current weeks!

Can you spot anything different about him before we tell you?🤔

Apologies for the delay! A scheduling mistake was made, making this a Saturday film instead!Enjoy Faxi the Icelandic Pony learning to ride - you'll be seeing...

10/11/2024

Over the past couple of weeks, you've seen the start of Penny's journey into becoming a Ride and Drive cob, and now here she is flying solo out single in the middle of town.

How do you think she's getting on tackling the big wide world on her own?

https://youtu.be/Ezn88Sawaac

03/11/2024

Here's the third and final part of Penny's first drive out and time to find out if she managed the rest of it quietly and calmly or if she had anything other 'moments' along the way!

Pretty soon, you'll be able to see the video of her out single and ready to graduate, so for now enjoy seeing her first steps into her driving career.

Here's the third and final part of Penny's first drive out and time to find out if she managed the rest of it quietly and calmly or if she had anything other...

27/10/2024

Not Always Plain Sailing! - First Time Driving Out with a Young Cob Filly

Last week we watched Penny being put to for the first time. This week, we're going to be turning her in the yard and leaving out of the gate and heading out on the public highway for the first time.

This is one of those videos that highlights why even the quietest of students need to be kept an eye on at all times - you never know what might happen, especially in the early days of training!

https://youtu.be/t-N-Fq1TyDs

24/10/2024

As our graduates know, pub stops are an important part of our training program! Good to see The Cricketers back open again under new ownership. Like our other recently rescued Longparish local, The Plough, village pubs need everyone’s help to help keep their businesses open. Not that many of us need much excuse to drop in on a beautiful autumn day 😉🍻
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21/10/2024

We haven’t had a one eyed horse in for ages and then two come along in the same year! This is Faxi, a lovely Icelandic pony in for Ride and Drive training. Here he is tackling the bridge. His partially sightedness doesn’t hold him back at all! 🐴
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