Making the Most of Poor Air Quality Days: Low-Intensity Training That Builds Better Driving Horses As driving horse trainers, we all know there are days when Mother Nature tells us to change our plans. Whether it’s wildfire smoke drifting into the area, high humidity, dust, or poor air quality alerts, those are not the days to ask our horses for strenuous exercise. Their lungs are every bit as important as ours, and protecting them today means having a healthier, happier part

Building Power from Behind: Hind End Development, Nutrition, and Gut Health in the Driving Horse One of the most overlooked aspects of conditioning a driving horse isn’t found in the harness or the carriage—it’s found in the hindquarters. Whether you’re training a recreational driving horse, a commercial carriage horse, or a Combined Driving Event athlete, true power comes from behind. A horse that is properly developed through the hind end will be stronger, more athletic, be

Why Foundation Training Matters Before a Horse Is Ever Hooked to a Carriage One of the biggest mistakes people make when training a driving horse is rushing to hitch them to a vehicle before they have truly mastered the fundamentals. While it is exciting to see a young horse pull a cart for the first time, that first hitch should never be the beginning of the lesson—it should simply be the next logical step in a long, well-prepared training program. A horse doesn’t know that

The Purpose of a Working Horse: A Thoughtful Response to the Recent NYC Carriage Tragedy The recent carriage accident in New York City that resulted in the heartbreaking loss of a young life has shaken many people. First and foremost, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy. Any loss of life is devastating, and incidents like this naturally lead to difficult conversations about horses, carriages, safety, and the role of working animals in mode

Why Carriage Rides Cost What They Do: The Reality of Keeping Horses in Today’s Economy Every now and then, someone sees the price of a carriage ride, horse-drawn wedding, or carriage rental and wonders, “Why does it cost so much?” It’s a fair question. The answer is simple: horses are expensive to care for, and the cost of providing safe, professional horse-drawn services has risen dramatically over the last several years. Unlike many businesses, carriage companies don’t simp

Why Young Horses Need Life Skills Before Careers In today’s horse world, there can be tremendous pressure to get young horses working early. Three-year-olds are often being started under saddle, hooked to carts, or entering competitions. While many horses can physically perform these tasks at a young age, the question is not whether they can—it is whether they should. At Tanglao Carriage Driving, we believe the years before age five should be focused primarily on developing l

Step-by-Step Guide to Grooming Your Driving Horse 1. Start with a safety check Before grooming, make sure your horse is safely tied or held in a quiet area with good footing. Check their attitude, comfort level, and overall body condition before you begin. Notice any swelling, heat, cuts, rubs, or soreness. 2. Pick out the feet Start with the hooves. Pick out each foot carefully, removing dirt, stones, packed bedding, or mud. Check the frog, sole, heel bulbs, and shoe area. F

When people think about horse training, they often imagine correcting mistakes, stopping unwanted behaviors, or “fixing” problems. While there is certainly a time and place for setting boundaries and addressing unsafe behavior, some of the most effective training happens when we focus less on what we don’t want and more on what we do want. This concept is known as shaping behavior through positive reinforcement, and it can be a powerful tool for horses of all ages and experie

Summer is one of the best seasons for carriage driving — long evenings, sunny trails, and plenty of opportunities to get horses out and working. Unfortunately, it’s also peak fly season. Few things can ruin a drive faster than a horse stomping, tail swishing, head tossing, or becoming distracted by relentless insects. Managing flies isn’t just about comfort; it’s an important part of keeping your driving horse relaxed, focused, and safe in harness. Flies can create serious pr

Patience isn’t just a virtue in carriage driving—it’s the foundation everything else is built on. Training a horse to drive is a process that asks for trust, consistency, and time. Unlike riding, where communication can rely heavily on body cues, driving depends on voice, rein contact, and the horse’s confidence in what it cannot see behind it. That alone makes patience not optional, but essential. When starting a horse in harness, every step is new. The feel of the harness,

There are moments as a parent when you realize you’re witnessing something bigger than just a hobby or a weekend activity. Watching my daughter, Mildred, at Live Oak International 2026 was one of those moments. People see the polished carriage, the gleaming harness, the perfectly turned-out presentation and the ribbon at the end. What they don’t see are the early mornings, the long drives, the quiet frustrations, and the small victories that build over time. Being Mildred’s m

Winter can be a magical time at the barn—quiet mornings, snowy paddocks, and horses wearing their fluffiest coats. But snow and cold weather also bring special responsibilities. Proper winter care is essential to keep horses healthy, comfortable, and thriving through the coldest months. Hydration Is Critical One of the biggest winter challenges is making sure horses drink enough water. Cold temperatures can reduce a horse’s desire to drink, increasing the risk of dehydration

Our carriage horses are more than just part of our business — they are our pride and joy and the very backbone of our family. Every day, they carry our dreams, our reputation, and the memories we help create for others. They teach our children responsibility, patience, and respect. They show up with steady hearts, willing minds, and an unmatched work ethic, and they trust us completely to put their wellbeing first. That’s why we invest in the best feed, not just to keep weigh

There’s something timeless about the sound of hooves on a cold winter evening, the jingle of harness bells, and the quiet rhythm of a horse pulling a carriage through Christmas lights. While many people think of Christmas carriage rides as a festive treat for humans, these experiences can be equally positive for the horses who make them possible. The Gift of Purpose for Horses Horses are animals designed to move, think, and engage with their environment. Well-trained driving

Every horseperson eventually meets that horse—the one who tests every ounce of patience, skill, and heart you thought you had. A difficult horse can make even the most seasoned handler question their abilities. But here’s the truth many won’t say out loud: some of the most challenging horses become the most rewarding partners you’ll ever have. Training a difficult horse isn’t about forcing compliance or overpowering a problem. It’s about learning to listen deeper, to adapt mo

In a world full of fancy training gadgets and quick-fix videos, one of the simplest and most transformative tools in a horse’s education is something every good horseman knows by heart: the patience tree. Quiet, humble, and deeply effective, the patience tree teaches a skill every horse needs—how to be still, confident, and emotionally steady. What Is a Patience Tree? A “patience tree” is simply a strong, safe tying spot—often a big solid tree or a sturdy post—where a horse l

In carriage driving, the whip is far more than a mere accessory — it’s an extension of the driver’s hand. Used correctly, it communicates clarity, finesse, and respect. Used incorrectly, it can confuse or even frighten a horse. Understanding how to use the whip properly is key to developing harmony between horse and driver. 1. The Whip as a Communication Tool In driving, the whip replaces the leg aids that a rider uses under saddle. It’s your way of saying, “step up,” “move o

Every good horseperson eventually learns that the most powerful conversations don’t happen through words at all. They happen through feel, timing, and attention. Horses are always communicating — through their eyes, their breath, the set of their neck, the rhythm of their stride. The challenge is not in getting them to “talk,” but in learning how to listen. Horses Speak Quietly — If We Let Them A horse’s communication is subtle by nature. In the wild, silence means safety, an

Why I believe every child deserves to know the steady love of a good pony. Some families raise their children with dogs or cats. I’m raising mine with a pony (alongside the dogs, cats, chickens, and even a rabbit). I know I want my kids to grow up learning compassion, responsibility, and the quiet strength that comes from caring for another living being. And for us, that lesson comes wrapped in a tousled mane, kind eyes, and the steady heart of a little gelding who has become

🐴 Getting It Right Behind the Lines: Proper Bit Fitting for the Carriage Driving Horse In the world of carriage driving , every detail...