Hi All, just for fun, I'm working on teaching my arabian gelding to drive. I've trained a few others with no problem, but this guy is quite sensitive to leg cues while riding, which means he'll be pretty sensitive to the cart shafts. Started him ground driving in a small space and he listens well, just gets confused with only the lines and voice commands.
I've never used pvc pipe for training shafts, but have known folks that have. Any suggestions? Thanks, Mike

Myself, I prefer a couple of green saplings with a third for a crosspiece at the end. More forgiving. PVC snaps and then has sharp ends.

Hi Mike, I trained my riding horse to drive. I spent alot of time doing ground work, making sure he wasn't bothered by anything touching him on his legs. I started out ground driving with no blinders so he could associate sounds . I used PVC training shafts made into a "U" If you use pvc make sure its schedule 40 because its stronger and less likely to break. The thinner stuff does break sharp.
I used saplings when I trained my Belgian.
For light horse driving we are supposed to use our driving whip as an aid to replace leg aids. You might try that. Desensitize fear of the whip before you touch him because it might scare him! I went to swish a fly off of my friends horse with the whip , gentlely, and I may as well have whipped him with it for the reaction I got!! Should be no fear.
Good luck, have fun, Stay Safe.
Susan

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Thanks folks. Yes, being very patient and doing plenty of ground work. I like the idea of working him open since he was pretty nervous not knowing where I was. Not in a hurry with this one; just making an attempt.