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...

Every so often, I catch myself passing along a tip to a student—something simple, even offhand—and suddenly I remember exactly where I...

When most people think of exercise and horses, they imagine riding. But driving—working with a horse in harness while guiding from behind...

In the world of equestrian sports, few things capture the harmony between horse and human quite like combined driving. With its blend of...

From City Streets to Competition Fields: My Journey from Commercial Carriage Driver to Professional Combined Driving Trainer When I first...

A Comprehensive Manual for Safe and Successful Harnessing Hooking a horse to a cart is a time-honored practice with roots in agriculture,...

Driving lessons are expensive!! More expensive than riding lessons, and most trainers do not keep lesson horses for students to use in...

Bight of rein safety By Carolyn Aarup, Dakota Winds Farm The “bight” of your reins refers to the excess/loop of your reins between your...

Sweeney Shoulder -What is it? If you’re lucky you’ve never heard of a shoulder sweeney in horses.Sweeney shoulder is caused by damage to...