| The horse-drawn carriage is a familiar image to most | | | | near or behind a horse should be based on preserving |
| people. Despite the advent of the automobile (the | | | | the safety of you, your horse, and (when you're |
| "horseless carriage"), there are still many people who | | | | driving), your surroundings, including the lives and |
| regularly engage in carriage driving, both for sport and | | | | property of others. One of the best ways to do this is |
| recreation. In the horse lover's world, carriage driving is | | | | to come up with a safety checklist. That is, you should |
| a creative niche with a rich history and colorful | | | | develop a step-by-step method of getting ready to |
| characters. Like any sport, it takes years of training | | | | drive, from start to finish. The checklist should include |
| and practice to master it. | | | | checking the condition of all harnesses, reins, bits, and |
| History and Variety of Carriages | | | | other driving equipment. It should also include checking |
| Since the first horses were domesticated by people, | | | | the condition of the carriage, like checking for worn |
| they have been pulling them in carriages. The Romans | | | | connections, rotting wood, and rusted, weak metal |
| built chariots and wagons, and used them both in battle | | | | connectors. Finally, you should conduct a common |
| and for entertainment. The Celts used a "horsecart": a | | | | sense check of your team's mood (anxious, nervous |
| platform suspended in an elastic frame. The early | | | | or ill horses can be dangerous when pulling your |
| Europeans constructed the first "closed" coaches, and | | | | carriage!), the weather, and any other environmental |
| the rich decorated theirs with gilded frames, glazed | | | | factor that could impact your carriage ride. It's very |
| paint, and fancy upholstered seats. | | | | easy to grow complacent over time and skip steps, |
| Today, carriages are built with distinct purposes in mind: | | | | but forcing yourself to abide by a consistent method |
| work (heavy, solid materials), competition (light, elastic | | | | will help safety to become second nature. |
| materials), and pleasure (a blend of materials that | | | | Additionally, you need to spend time in the driver's seat. |
| provide comfortable seating for driver and | | | | Simply put, the more hours you spend driving, the |
| passengers). Though most carriages fall into these | | | | better a driver you will become, given that you have |
| three general carriages, there are seemingly endless | | | | put an initial investment in training time with someone |
| varieties of specific carriage types:oThe Chariot: | | | | more experienced than you are. In fact, the American |
| Named for the ancient Roman carriage from which it | | | | Driving Society awards points to recreational drivers |
| evolved, the chariot is a light, four-wheeled carriage | | | | who reach certain milestones in number of hours in the |
| with a coach box and back seats that was popular in | | | | driver's seat. |
| the 19th century. It was typically used to carry | | | | The next guideline is simple to understand, but often |
| important heads of state during a triumphal | | | | difficult to put into practice for those |
| march.oThe Sulky: Two-wheeled cart used in harness | | | | independent-minded drivers out there: it takes a team. |
| racing.oThe Horse and Buggy: Old-fashioned but still | | | | Unlike riding your horse, which can be done alone, by |
| popular today, the horse and buggy is a light, | | | | one person, driving is a team effort (and we're not just |
| two-wheeled or (more commonly in the U.S.) | | | | talking about the "team" of horses pulling your carriage). |
| four-wheeled carriage that seats two people. Also | | | | Having a second (or third, or fourth!) set of eyes on |
| called a "roadster," it can be pulled by one or two | | | | the overall project of harnessing up your horses helps |
| horses.oThe Stagecoach: Four-wheeled, enclosed | | | | prevent careless mistakes. |
| carriage pulled by a team of four horses. Prior to the | | | | Finally, the quality of the equipment you use matters. |
| construction of the railroads, stagecoaches were a | | | | Investing the time, effort and money to have quality |
| common means of travel.oThe Brougham: | | | | harnesses, snap shackles, bits, helmets for the drivers |
| Four-wheeled, enclosed carriage that was usually | | | | and passengers, and other equipment is very |
| fancier than a stagecoach, but also used for travel. | | | | important. Sub-standard equipment will fail more easily, |
| Also unlike the coach, the Brougham had a front | | | | and can make a bad accident worse. |
| window that allowed its passengers to see forward. | | | | Carriage driving, whether you do it to relax or to win, |
| These are only a few of the carriage types used both | | | | can be a rewarding way to spend your time. It has |
| in the past and still in use today. Whatever your | | | | been a favorite pastime and practical means of travel |
| ultimate goal in carriage driving, chances are there's a | | | | for all kinds of people, from paupers to kings. It is |
| carriage already out there that will suit your needs. | | | | challenging to learn and even more challenging to |
| Training: Safety, Practice, Teamwork, and Equipment | | | | master, but if you take the time to enjoy the journey, |
| Safety is paramount! It is the number one consideration | | | | you will make lifelong friends (of both the human and |
| in any driving practice or training. No matter what kind | | | | horse variety!). |
| of riding or driving you do, everything you do on or | | | | |