Carrbridge Carriage Driving

Introduction to Carriage Driving Course

Course Dates

25th/26th/27th September - Carrbridge

2nd/3rd/4th October - Carrbridge

18th/19th/20th October - Carrbridge

24th/25th/26th October - Scottish Equestrian Hotel, Lanark

3rd/4th/5th November - Carrbridge

This course is aimed at people who are interested in taking up carriage driving, but are not sure where to start.  

Over 3 days, you will be shown how to handle the reins coachman style and two handed, harness up, making sure the harness fits your horse/pony correctly, put-too and drive out on the open road and in fields. You will then take your horse/pony out from the vehicle, un-harness and be shown how to care for everything after your drive.  You will also have the opportunity to drive a set of cones, build, walk and drive a hazard, honing your rein handling technique, with an emphasis on health and safety at all times.

The course is aimed at individuals and small groups of up to 3 people, and can be booked at a time during the Autumn and Spring months to suit your schedule, and you will receive a minimum of 4 hours coaching per day, with a break for lunch.

Itinerary

Day One – Morning Session 10am start

Informal welcome, with Tea/Coffee and biscuits, plus Health & Safety induction.

English Coachman Style rein-handling practice

Introduction to the horses

The importance of your groom

Harnessing up & Putting too

Hands on drive out on quiet country roads

Taking out & un-harnessing

Aftercare of your horse, carriage and harness

Lunch – 12.30

Afternoon Session 1.30pm

Re-cap of morning session

Harness up, learning the names of parts of the harness, their purpose and how to fit it correctly.

Improve your driving skills by tackling some cones.

Taking out & un-harnessing

Aftercare

Questions & Answers

Harness and Carriage hand-outs

Day Two – 10am

Tea/Coffee and biscuits, re-cap of health and safety

Groom your horse in preparation for driving

Harness up and put too

Go for a drive and learn hand signals, road craft and the importance of thanking other road users

Take out and unharness your horse

Aftercare of your horse and all equipment

Lunch – 12.30

Afternoon Session 1.30pm

Re-cap of morning session

Harness up, put-to and go for a longer drive

(Please note – the group will be split in two, some will go for a drive while others watch the official BDS DVD “Between the Shafts”

Take out and unharness your horse

Aftercare of your horse and all equipment

Review of the day’s session

Day Three – 10.30am

Tea/Coffee and biscuits, re-cap of health and safety

Harness up and put too

Those who watched the DVD will go for a longer drive, those who drove yesterday will watch the DVD

Take out and un-harness

Aftercare of your horse and equipment

Lunch – 12.30

Afternoon Session 1.30pm

Set up and walk a carriage driving hazard

Harness up and put too

Fun session, driving the hazard

Cool down

Take out and un-harness

Aftercare of your horse and equipment

Review of session

Presentation of certificate

Other Information

I have over 25 years carriage driving experience, am a UKCC Level 2 Qualified Coach in Carriage Driving, hold a Driving and Road Safety certificate, am a long-term member of both the British Driving Society and the British Horse Society, am disclosure and safeguarding certified and have a valid First Aid Certificate.

All lessons will be carried out with two sets of reins, a bit like having duel controls on a learner car.

When carriage driving, visibility is of paramount importance! Hi-viz vest will be provided for all persons on the carriage.

Please note that when driving in fields and along track, these may be bumpy, so this activity may not be suitable for people with back issues. If you suffer from any health issues, please advise us when you make the booking, as a reasonable amount of mobility is required for carriage driving.

Accommodation is available in Carrbridge, which is just a mile and a half away, or there are other recommended B&B’s within a 10 mile radius.

Cost of course, including all tea/coffee and a light lunch - £250

(This is an introductory price and will be reviewed in 6 months time.)

IMPORTANT

Carriage Driving is a risk sport!

Whilst all due care to health and safety will be practised, you participate in carriage driving, and this course, at your own risk!

This Itinerary is subject to change.