How Do I Hook My Miniature Horse to a Cart?

Miniature horses are typically purchased for children to help them learn to ride without having to fear a full-sized horse. While adults shouldn't ride a miniature horse, these strong, little horses are more than capable of pulling a horse cart with an adult in it. Their easy nature and patient disposition make them ideal horses for cart driving. Before attaching a driving harness to a miniature horse, or any other horse, it is important to make sure all the equipment is clean and free from particles, as these can rub and cause irritation for the horse while driving.

Things You'll Need

  • Driving harness
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Instructions

    • 1

      Pull the traces and breast collar over the horse's head, after ensuring they are clean and grit free. Leave the traces hanging for the time being, but set the breast collar just below your horse's neck, making sure it does not constrict breathing.

    • 2

      Hold the snaffle bit of the bridle in one hand, and slip it into the horse's mouth by pushing with your thumb at the corners of his mouth. Slip the rest of the bridle over his head, positioning the blinders so that they are not irritating his eyes. Align the check reins between the ears, up the middle of his face and lying over his mane, leaving the ends loose at present. Let the regular reigns hang loose.

    • 3

      Position the driving saddle on your horse's back, tightening the girth straps so they are firm, but do not restrict movement or breathing. Tie the check reins to the hook on the middle of the saddle.

    • 4

      Thread the regular reins through the two hooks on either side of the breast collar, then through the rings on the side of the driving saddle. Let them hang loose for later use when driving.

    • 5

      Position the crupper around the tail of your horse, up around the sides of the tail and over his hindquarters. Lay the straps along the hindquarters, then attach them to the driving saddle.

    • 6

      Place the breeching around the hindquarters of your horse, running the straps around the hindquarters, tightening the loin straps so they are snug but allow movement.

    • 7

      Position the cart behind the horse, and align the shaft loops on the saddle so they are at the same height as the cart's shaft and the saddle traces. Put the cart shaft through the traces, threading the breeching straps through the metal fittings that are on the sides of the cart shafts. Tie the breeching straps a couple of times to ensure they are secure, but don't make them too tight. Pick the regular reins and place them in the cart, reading fro driving.