Book Description
"A book that will take the most novice beginner and permit him or her to progress to any level of driving with a clear understanding of how and why things are done."
—William E. Miller, M.D., President, American Driving Society

"[The authors] obviously know their subject well and treat it with much sensitivity and wisdom.I only wish I had this book before I started my driving program."
—Sasha Rockefeller

The modern bible of carriage driving . . . now back by popular demand

Widely renowned as the definitive book on training the driving horse, Carriage Driving offers an easy-to-follow, practical guide to this increasingly popular sport.

The philosophy is simple but remarkably effective:If driving is as much fun for your horse as it is for you, he will be a willing partner in the endeavor.With that in mind, Carriage Driving focuses on building a strong physical, mental, and emotional relationship with your horse. Equine mechanics, selecting the right bit and tack, harnessing, and ground training are just a few of the topics addressed.

Drivers at any level will benefit greatly from this groundbreaking book, which has stood for more than a decade as the preeminent resource on training a balanced, responsive, and safe driving horse. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Very good information
I have only read portions of the book at this point but plan to read all of it. I am completly ignorant of harness driving but recently purchased a miniature horse that I plan to finish in carting. This book has been an excellant resource. It is very detailed, but easy to understand. It mentions things to keep in mind that might not be obvious (like if you're new to harness or your horse is, you should have a bucking strap on your harness to save you a lot of frustration). I also like her approach to working with the horse - it is definately working WITH the horse and not BREAKING the horse. I have not read any other driving books yet to compare, but I am happy that I started with this one.

Best book I've read on the subject.
This is the book for anyone who is serious about training their horses for driving with no corner-cutting.It is obvious that this book was written by a true horse trainer for true horse trainers, people who love horses and are dedicated to making the training experience a joyful and life-long experience.Heike Bean's book covers everything you need to know starting with the very basics, horse anatomy, hoof structure and shoeing, conformation, collection, bits, harness, carts and carriages.

Best book on Carriage Driving ever written
This is truly the best book on carriage driving ever written.It is the bible for people who know the sport.This is the one book you truly need if you want to learn carriage driving.You can tell from the first page you are in the hands of an expert.
The only thing wrong with this book is you can hardly ever find a copy.If you find one, grab it. ( I don't know what's going on but there were about 10 reviews of this book here, all of them glowing, and they seem to have been erased.Everyone in Driving knows how great this book is.)

Best book on Carriage Driving ever written
This is the best book on driving ever written.Extremely well organized and easy to follow.Answers all your questions just as you think of them.There is only one problem with this book -- it is very hard to find.People never resell their copies so if you can find one, grab it.

Extremely Well Written and Quite Comprehensive!
This book gave some of the most practical advise I have seen yet for training the driving horse using logical and humane methods.The principles involved apply equally well to riding as to driving, so I wouldrecommend this book to anyone interested in training their horsethemselves, or even if they plan on taking it to a trainer. It addressesproblems that may arise and also gives good illustrations of various stepsin the learning process.Wonderful Book! ... Read more

Product Description
Seeing the need for a truly practical guide to carriage driving, the authors combined their over thirty years' of driving experience in the writing of The Essential Guide to Carriage Driving. Generously illustrated with over 350 photographs and diagrams and covering topics ranging from the selection and fitting of harness and vehicle to preparing for competition and driving multiples, this book is sure to become an indispensable resource. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

A wonderful introduction into the world of carriage driving.
This book lets you get by cheap!!But does not cut corners, or risk safty!!! ... Read more

Book Description
This digital document is an article from Palaestra, published by Challenge Publications Limited on September 22, 1997. The length of the article is 1417 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Free wheeling. (carriage driving for the handicapped)(The Driver with Disabilities, part 5)
Author: Mary Alice Goss
Publication: Palaestra (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 22, 1997
Publisher: Challenge Publications Limited
Volume: v13Issue: n4Page: p25(3)

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Book Description

Customer Reviews (1)

Good general information butNOT AN" INSIDERS" VEIW OF WHAT A JUDGE IS LOOKING FOR
I bought the book with hopes of learning what a judge is looking for in a carriage driving class. This book did give some details such as a painted cart needs to have a black harness, a formal cart needs more of a "high energy" horse put to it and a more informal cart such as a road card needs a more laid back horse. These details were helpful but I was looking for more "insider" information to give me an edge when I begin to show. After the general information above, in my opinion it became redundent by repeating the same things in the chapters that discuss each carriage type. It was more of a "TURNOUT/PRESENTATION" type book then an insiders look at what judges value. It is a very good book to read if you are looking from the type of information I mentioned, and would have received a 5 star if that had been what I thought I was buying but I gave it a three star because of my above comments. The pictures are really nice to give you an idea of different cart types and the chapters on different driving classes were interesting also but if you are driving just singles , or just a pair then most of the information , maybe 5 of the 28 chapters ,would be of interest. ... Read more

Book Description
Originally published in 1882. An early guide to the history and use of harness for riding, driving and horse drawn carriages. Includes remarks on the traction, and the use of the Cape cart. Also contains important directions to Grooms and Coachmen regarding their duties and their dress. Numerous hints on driving. Well illustrated with explanatory drawings. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Home Farm Books are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description
HINTS ON DRIVING HORSES By Captain C. Morley Knight A READ COUNTRY BOOKS CLASSIC REPRINT Originally published in 1884, this extremely scarce early work on driving horses is both expensive and hard to find in its first edition. READ COUNTRY BOOKS have republished it, using the original text and illustrations. This excellent little book was written in an era when "handling the ribbons" was not only a pleasurable pastime, but was almost the sole means of transport - hence any hints on making driving more simple, and consequently, more safe, were of inestimable value. In view of the steadily growing interest in this pastime and the constant demand for information on harnessing and driving, this book will prove of great value with its detailed wisdom aimed at both tyro and expert. The book consists of two hundred and twelve pages divided into twelve comprehensive chapters, each illustrated with explanatory line drawings: Harness. - Driving-Single Harness. - Driving-Double Harness. - Curricle and Cape Cart. - Driving Four Horses-Position of Coachman. - Four Horses-The Reins. - Four in Hand. - The Whip. - Starting. - Pulling Up. - Turning. - Useful Hints. - Tandem Driving. - Tandem Harness. - Breaking to Harness. Etc. This is a fascinating read for any driving enthusiast or historian of this mode of transport, but also contains much information and advise that is still extremely useful and practical today. Many of the early equestrian titles, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. READ COUNTRY BOOKS are republishing many of these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. ... Read more