Tips on Training Your Horse to Pull a Cart

Most horses can be trained to pull a cart, but it takes time and patience to do so. Because horses are prey animals, they are instinctively wary of anything trailing behind them. Therefore it is very important to properly introduce them to the idea of having a large object dragging behind them.

  1. Ground Driving

    • A horse must know how to be ground driven before it can safely be put in front of a cart. At this stage, fancy driving equipment is not necessary. Simply saddle and bridle the horse and attach two long lines or driving reins to the horse's bit. Then run them through the shortened saddle stirrups and stand a safe distance behind the horse, out of kicking distance. Of course, if you have a training harness, you can always use that. Have a helper at the horse's head to encourage it if it gets confused. For instance, if you ask the horse to move forward with a cluck and a gentle slap of the reins and it doesn't move, have the helper encourage the horse to go with a tug on the bridle.

    Introducing the Cart

    • Once you are satisfied that the horse understands how to move forward, stop, stand still for an extended period of time, make turns and back up, have an assistant walk with a training cart behind or next to you, so the horse gets the idea of a large object following it. Do not hitch the horse up to the cart at this point. Most horses will need time to get used to the cart following it and making unexpected noises. If your equine were to get scared and run off with a cart attached to it at this point, it could take a long time to get it used to the idea of pulling an object again.

    Hitching Up

    • Introduce your horse to the driving harness and then ask it to back up between the shafts of your training cart. Repeat several times if you feel your horse is not comfortable being between the cart shafts. When you are ready to hitch the horse up, take it to an enclosed area and have an assistant on hand. After you have hitched up the horse, you can ask it to pull the cart. Do not get in the cart. The horse may hesitate when it feels pressure on its driving harness for the first time, so you and your assistant should gently but firmly ask it to move forward. Drive it around until you feel your horse is comfortable with the idea of pulling the cart.

    Final Steps

    • When you feel the horse is finally ready to pull a cart without bolting or doing something dangerous, climb onto the seat. Have an assistant on the ground who is prepared to help you in case the horse suddenly acts up. Stay within a confined area such as an arena so that if the horse bolts with the cart, it won't be able to run far or out into traffic. Ask your horse to pull the cart slowly around the ring at first. Be patient and take your time before asking the horse to trot and then eventually canter while pulling the cart.