Southern Horse Magazine Page 57
Try always to give a good im- pression of our sport. Thank people who make your life easier when you are driving - walkers who stand back off the road, motorists who slow down, cyclists who dismount, bikers who turn off engines and headlamps. A smile goes a long way, costs nothing and does you good!
independent shafts should have the strap fastened so it is comfortable but not loose enough for the shafts to bounce.
The driver is responsible for seeing that all is correct.
NEVER have anyone in the vehicle during putting-to or taking-out
NEVER tie up and leave a horse in his vehicle
Put on anything you need (gloves, waterproofs, crash hat) before you:
1 Pick up the reins and take up contact with the horse.
2 Get into the vehicle, before anyone else, keeping contact throughout.
3 Sit down and pick up the whip.
4 Grooms/passengers can now get into the vehicle - off you go!
A Few Driving Do’s and Dont’s
The driver must always be first in/last out of the vehicle. NEVER drive from the ground - if your horse misbehaves, he can easily get loose with the vehicle and run out of control. Get into the carriage at once.
Check regularly that your vehicle and harness are safe.
Event drivers use crash hats, back protectors and suitable footwear for everyone on their marathon carriage. You should do the same when you are working at home as
well as when you go out on the road. For any competition involving speed through haz- ards, hard hats are mandatory for driver and grooms and any passengers.
Wear high visibility clothing if you are out on the roads, the extra second it gives to car / wagon / motor bikers could be all it takes. If possible use red bike lights on the rear of your carriage (white ones to the front can help too), they make you and your horse even more visible!
Don’t drive too fast. Concen- trate first on your own turnout - but be aware of others at all times.
Drive correctly - coachman style if possible and with the whip in your hand.
Keep to the left on the roads unless the road is very narrow, when being in the centre may prevent impatient motorists trying to overtake when it is not safe.
Make cycling hand signals, which other road users can understand, to show what you intend to do (see the Highway Code). Whip signals should only be used in convoys where all drivers understand the conventions.
At events of any kind, whether National or local, be courteous to helpers - both your own and those of the organisation.
Bad language and unsports- manlike behaviour are inexcusable at any time. Secretaries are empowered to ask offenders to leave the field or refuse future entries to competitions.
Do not permit a horse to get into bad habits through your own laziness or thoughtless- ness. Ask for skilled help with problems before they become too much for you to cope with, particularly if they always happen when you are away from home.
Do not attempt disciplines which are new to you and/ or difficult without skilled advice and training, both for the horse and for you. Your local driving club is your first resource - ask them for advice and to be directed to suitable teachers.
Taking out of the vehicle
Even if you are tired or hungry or fed up, this is a crucial phase. You must take as much care as you did when putting to. Doing it carefully takes no more time and may save you, your helpers and your horse from injury.
1 Groom gets out to hold the horse
2 Passengers, if any, dismount
3 Driver puts down whip and dismounts last, holding the reins
4 NEVER leave anyone in the vehicle
5 NEVER tie up and leave a horse in his vehicle
6 Fold up the reins and secure them
Unfasten:
1 Belly / Back band 2 Breeching
3 Traces (reverse of putting to)
Pull the vehicle back from the horse, and lead
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the horse away before you remove any harness. NEVER take off a driving horse’s bridle or reins while he is fastened to the vehicle in any way.
NEVER have anyone in the vehicle during putting-to or taking-out
NEVER tie up and leave a horse in his vehicle.
Once your horse is free from the carriage take off the har- ness in reverse order;
1 reins
2 bridle - unfasten throatlash, noseband and curb chain be- fore lifting the bridle off gently
3 pad and breeching 4 collar and traces
Now you can tie up the horse and brush him down (wash the sweat off if the weather is warm), put on a rug or sheet, and allow him to cool off. At home he can be turned out or stabled. At an event, walk him about, then when he is cool offer him a small drink of water and a haynet. If there is a social activity after a drive, ensure the horse is in a safe place and cannot get chilled or overheated while you are partying.
Always see to the horse be- fore you see to yourself.
Carriage driving may seem difficult but when done safely and correctly it is a lot of fun.
Enjoy.
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