Instructions
Prepare Your Miniature Horse
Lay girth over your horse's back and buckle around its belly.
Put crupper around the tail and attach the crupper straps to the girth band. Make sure it is snug but not too tight. The bottom of the crupper should not press into the underside of your horse's tail, but should rest comfortably against it.
Place the breeching on the horse's rear now, if it is a separate part of your harness and not attached to the crupper. Attach the top of the breech strap that lays across your miniature horse's back to the girth. The lower breech strap should rest just at the bottom curve of the buttocks.
Slide the breast strap over your horse's head and down over its neck so that it sits at the base of its chest. Hook side lines of the breast strap to the girth band on each side.
Bridle your mini and attach the overcheck line that starts between your mini's ears to the girth. When driving for the first time it is a good idea not to make the overcheck too tight until the horse becomes accustomed to the pressure to keep its head up.
Run a rein strap through each side of the girth loops on the side of the girth and attach to the bit on either side of your miniature horse's bridle.
Attach Your Miniature Horse to a Cart
Stand the cart up on its back with the shafts up in the air. Working from an upright position it is possible for even a lone person to hook up a miniature horse to a cart. This is the best position to begin in because it allows you to slowly lower the shafts on either side of your horse rather than to bring them forward from behind and risk poking the animal in the rear.
Position your miniature horse between the upright shafts with their rear toward the upright cart. Stand at the left side of your miniature horse with your left hand on the reigns and reach up with your right hand to grab onto the left shaft of the cart and slowly lower the shafts down on either side of the miniature horse.
Run the points of the shaft through the shaft loops on either side of the harness girth and let it rest there while you attach the straps. The shaft should lightly sit in the loops if your cart is balanced properly. The harness on your miniature horse should be fitted so that the points of the cart shafts are in line with the point of your horse's shoulders.
Attach the trace line on each side of the harness to the singletree on the front of the cart between the shafts. Slide the straps of the breeching through the intended hook on the shaft at the side of each of your miniature horse's hips, and wrap it several times around the shaft, one of those times capturing the trace line in the loop to secure it.
Buckle the straps over the shaft loops by the girth of your mini's harness on each side, and you're set to go.
How to Hook Up a Mini Driving Harness
Hooking your miniature horse to a cart for driving is easier than it looks. Whether you are getting ready to go into the show ring, driving obstacles, or just taking a trip down the lane at home it is important your equipment is in good condition for both your and your horse's safety. Make sure the harness is well oiled and there are no cracks in the leathers. Check your cart for any signs of stress in the metal or cracks in the wood. Make sure the air in the tires is at the proper level before putting the cart on your miniature horse.