Hey Reader,
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Carriage driving is built on trust — trust between you and your horse, you and your passengers, and you and everyone sharing the road or trail. It's also, by its very nature, an activity that carries real risk. A horse is a living, reactive animal attached to a vehicle with limited stopping power, that can quickly become a projectile if things go sideways.
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No matter how experienced you are, that combination demands respect every single time you hitch up.
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I say this not to scare you, but to remind you of the reality of driving horses, and the responsibility that we have as drivers to keep safety front of mind.
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The good news is: risk can be managed. The habits we develop — before, during, and after every drive — are our best tool for keeping ourselves, our equines, and the people around us safe. Let's talk about it.
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Of course, carriage driving isn't one-size-fits-all. Best practices can vary by region, discipline, and tradition: what's standard in combined driving may look different from what's expected in the breed show ring or in the farm fields or wood lot. The habits we'll cover here are broadly applicable across styles, especially for novice drivers and equines.
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I don’t use the words “always” and “never” very often, but there are certain cases, and you’re gonna see a few of them here. If that makes you a bit squirrelly, I want you to consider that every rule exists for a reason. Take the time to understand why these rules exist. That understanding is what separates a sensible driver from a dangerous one.
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Top 5 habits for safe driving

1️⃣ Ensure that your equine is fit—physically and mentally—for the job you’re asking

It’s your job to set your horse up for success. There is no substitute for a thorough education. Always ask yourself, does my horse have the skills and understanding to succeed here? Is my horse in a good headspace right now to be able to perform the task I’m going to ask? Is she physically healthy and fit enough for the job at hand?
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2️⃣ Ensure that your harness and vehicle are in good repair

Make it a habit to give your harness and vehicle a once-over every day before you hitch, and again after you unhitch. Verify the condition of your wheels, single/double tree, all bolts, and any other moving parts. Inspect your harness for tears or cracks, especially around buckles, and any signs of excessive wear. Additionally, ensure that the harness and vehicle are fitting your horse well, and are causing no rubbing or chafing to your horse.
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At least twice a year, give both your harness and your carriage a thorough cleaning, and use this opportunity to do a detailed inspection, top to bottom, of everything.
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Even when you are diligent, surprises can still happen. For this reason, always carry a spares kit on your vehicle, in case you need to make unexpected repairs away from home. Your spares kit should include replacement harness pieces (rein, trace, holdback, hame strap) or splices, a sharp knife, hole punch, some strong twine or cord, tape, and a halter & lead rope.
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3️⃣ Hitched horse always has bridle & reins

Never, ever hitch your horse to a vehicle without the bridle and reins first properly fastened, and never ever remove the bridle and reins while the horse is hitched to a vehicle or implement. This is the cause of so many tragic wrecks, and the easiest to avoid.
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Even if your horse is tied… even if you’re just checking the fit… even if your horse is the best driving horse ever… Just. Don’t. Do. It. ‼
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Remember, it’s your responsibility to set your horse up for success. Laziness causes accidents.
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4️⃣ Once horse is hitched, a competent driver is in the vehicle with reins in hand

When your horse is hitched to a vehicle, the only safe place to control the horse is from the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Do your checks, and then get your bum in the seat. The reins should be in your hand before untying your horse.
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​Never attempt to lead or lunge a hitched horse. This is another big no-no, and I wrote a whole article about it here. When your horse is hitched to a vehicle or implement, you have to think about controlling the vehicle, not just the horse. That carriage, buggy, harrow, log, or even training tire can quickly become a dangerous projectile if you lose control of it.
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If you’re carrying passengers, it’s important that the driver is the first one in and last one out. Never load passengers if you’re not seated in your driver’s seat, reins in hand. Remember, those passengers are trusting you to control the horse and keep them safe. Likewise, if you have to step down from your seat, for any reason, ask the passengers to disembark first. Never take the risk of a loaded carriage leaving with no driver.
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If you do need to step down from your seat, it’s important that you never leave a hitched horse unattended. On a long driving day, if you need to go make a pit stop or stretch your legs, your two safest options are either:

1. Ask another competent driver who knows your horse to take your seat on the carriage for a few minutes, or
2. Tie your horse securely and unhitch before walking away.

It only takes a minute or two to unhitch, and then hitch again when you return. It takes far longer to repair a damaged carriage or injured horse because something unexpected happened while you were gone.

5️⃣ Always be aware of what’s going on around you

The best way to have a safe and enjoyable drive is to notice and mitigate potential problems before they become real problems. Especially when you’re driving with others, it’s important to have your head on a swivel, and be very aware of everyone and everything around you. Give other turnouts lots of space, keep exit paths clear, and always err on the side of caution. If you don’t know, ask.
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If you see someone having a tough time, pull to the inside and halt until you’re sure they’re okay. Be aware of any young or green horses in the group, and yield to them as much as you safely can. When everybody is looking out for everybody, you all get to have a good day.
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Good habits don’t necessarily guarantee a perfect drive every day — nothing can — but they will put you and your horse in the best possible position to handle whatever comes your way. There are certainly more that we could add to this list, and you should build your own habits and systems to best support you and your horse, in the work that you do.
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You should also familiarize yourself with the rules and norms of your own local driving community. When in doubt, seek the guidance of a qualified instructor or experienced mentor to offer clarification. There are no stupid questions, but erroneous assumptions can get you in trouble.
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Safety isn't about fear — it's about preparation, awareness, and respect. Respect for your horse, for your passengers, for the people around you, and for the sport itself. The drivers who have the best experiences out there aren't the ones who got lucky. They're the ones who showed up with good habits, every single time.
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Drive safe out there, and as always, feel free to reach out if you have questions or want to dig deeper.
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Happy driving,
Christine