How to Operate a Horse-Drawn Carriage
Horse-drawn carriages are a nostalgic way to travel. For some people like the Amish, it is a part of everyday life. For others, driving a horse-drawn carriage is a way to make a living, or simply a pleasurable pass time. Horses are strong, beautiful animals that can become the driver's trusted companions, or they can be a dangerous liability when the proper steps are not followed. There are many considerations and procedures in order to safely operate a horse-drawn carriage.
Instructions
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Learn everything you can about horses and driving first. Depending upon your horse experience level, you must first learn and understand their behavior and how to care for them. Basic skills like proper feeding, grooming, handling and overall horsemanship are important. Understanding a horse's body language is also vital. You can tell quite a bit about a horse's mood by the way it hold its ears and head. It is not necessary to know how to ride a horse in order to drive one, but it is necessary to understand verbal commands, physical cues like proper reining, and how to correctly use a driving whip. It is critical to know and understand every part of the harness and carriage before ever setting out to drive one. A lack of horse-sense, carelessness or overconfidence can lead to disastrous results.
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Use a horse that is willing and well-trained to drive a carriage. Depending upon whether you plan to drive only along the countryside, travel around town in heavy traffic, or take part in equestrian driving events, your horse should be easy to handle. Well-trained horses respond to light, easy movements from the reins and have usually been introduced to a variety of stimuli, making them more confident and less likely to spook. Poorly trained horses require a strong hold on the reins, which actually incorrectly teaches the driver to be hard-handed. Beginning drivers should practice ground-driving the horse before ever attaching it to a carriage. Ground driving is simply a "dress rehearsal" for the real event. The driver walks behind the fully harnessed horse while practicing the same verbal and physical commands as he or she would on the carriage -- commands such as walk, trot or stop.
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Harness and hitch the horse correctly. Drivers should always have another person assist when hitching their horse, especially when they are new to the procedure. However, it is always the driver's responsibility to check the harness and carriage before ever putting a foot on-board. Equipment failure or poor-fitting harnesses and carriages are the main cause of accidents. Always be sure the reins are attached to the bridle, and have the assisting person stand by the horse's head. This helps to prevent a runaway if the horse should spook while being hitched up. Slowly back the horse up to the vehicle and be sure that all lines, tugs and holdbacks are securely fastened to the carriage. The ramifications of a carriage crash are even more deadly then accidents involving horse and rider. Runaway carriages or crashes can injure the occupants, as well as anyone in the path of the carriage.
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Take an experienced driver with you. You should not operate a horse drawn carriage alone until you are fully prepared to do so. Experienced drivers are able to assist or take over in the event of problems. When boarding the carriage always have reins in hand, and keep the whip in hand at all times. Begin driving in less populated areas until you feel comfortable. As you become more confident, you can move to higher traffic areas, but be sure to familiarize yourself and your horse with your surroundings. Manhole covers, sirens, umbrellas, and a variety of other situations can spook even well-trained animals. Always be alert, proactive, and attuned to what is happening around you.
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Follow all traffic signs, signals and laws. Obey all traffic laws and signals when driving in towns and cities. The horse and carriage is like any other vehicle on the road and must follow the same procedures. You are considered a slow-moving vehicle and should always stay as far right as possible. Approved slow-moving emblems (which are large orange triangular signs with red borders) should be attached to the rear of the carriage. Always stay at least 10 to 20 yards behind any vehicle, as well as keeping enough distance between cars at your side. Lights, reflectors and reflective tape are all necessary when driving in traffic, especially at night. Use mechanical turn signals when available, otherwise you must use the same hand-signals used by bicyclists. Left arm fully extended signals a left turn, left arm at a 90 degree angle with hand pointing downward signals a stop, and left arm at a 90 degree angle with hand pointing upward signals a right turn.
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Tips & Warnings
Always stay alert and aware at all times.
Never let yourself be distracted or become complacent.
Never leave attached horse and carriage unattended for any reason.
Never tie yourself or others to the horse or carriage.
Never unhook bridle of horse while still hooked to carriage.
Never tie horse's bridle to tree or trailer; use a halter and lead rope underneath a bridle to tie if necessary.
Never allow a horse to return home at a run. This will "barn-sour" or spoil a horse and can make it difficult to handle.
Never drink and drive.
References
- Photo Credit Comstock/Comstock/Getty Images Thinkstock/Comstock/Getty Images
