How to Drive a Horse Sleigh
Driving a horse sleigh can be a pleasant and exciting experience, but it also can be dangerous if you are not familiar with horses and you don't have the right equipment. The hobby has gained popularity in recent years because it is easy to learn. You also can find horse clubs where you can exchange ideas and talk to other sleigh drivers about their experiences.
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Instructions
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Wear gloves while driving to keep your hands from being hurt by the reins. Gloves made of leather are your best bet.
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Check that the sleigh is tightly tied to the horse. This is very important for your personal safety. A horse sleigh can reach speeds of up to 8 mph, making it extremely important that the sleigh and horse are secured to each other.
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Get on the sleigh. Hold the reins with your left hand to ensure that the horse will keep steady. Another person could help you by standing in front of the horse, blocking its view while you mount the sleigh.
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Hold the reins with your left hand and the whip with your right. You must hold them until you stop your ride. Be careful, because without these the horse is uncontrollable.
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Turn the horse sleigh to the left by moving your left hand forward. Your moves must be soft so the horse will follow your commands.
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Turn the horse sleigh to the right by moving your left hand backward. Don't make abrupt movements with your hands. Try driving around without creating angles.
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Speed up the horse by using the whip, but don't hit the horse; whip the air instead.
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Pull back on the reins to make the sleigh stop.
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Tips & Warnings
Become familiar with the rein movements of sleigh driving before you start.
Only with practice will you become a good sleigh driver.
Horses are easily startled. You must deal with them gently; otherwise, they will become wild.
References
- Photo Credit Russian winter image by Aleksandr Kulikov from Fotolia.com
