Ranch Ride Carriage Drive answers your questions! Lately we've had some questions about the hardware and fittings on carriage shafts. What's this brass thing? What goes in this second staple? If you've ever wondered, here's your chance to find out! Come along with us as Paul explains each fitting, step by step.
Tag: Carriages
Traditional Carriages and Attelage: Elegant Sport Driving
Antique and reproduction carriages require skill to drive, but offer the driver the opportunity to preserve our driving traditions and to participate in the elegant, and growing, sport of Attelage. Learn more about Attelage and why the Achenbach driving method is our choice for traditional driving.
A New Turnout: Fitting the Pieces Together
Today we're helping a client to set up a new pony with a new harness and new cart. Correct fit and adjustments are important for safety, comfort of the horse, and load balance!
More About Whips: Unfurling and Furling the Whip
Following up on our article about whips, today we're demonstrating how to unfurl and furl your whip. This is especially important for driving four-in-hand or tandem!
Driving a Five-in-Hand Mountain Team
One of the more rarely seen turnouts is a five-in-hand, mountain team or pickaxe as it’s referred to here in the US. The first time I really became aware of the expression “mountain team” was when I was working for Andreas Nemitz, who used a five-in-hand to cross the Alps on his nine-day Lindau Messenger tour every year. I soon learned that driving a five-in-hand has its challenges!
Ranch Ride Carriage Drive Answers Your Questions: Poles, Pole Straps, and Turns
Recently we had some questions about adjustments of poles and pole straps. But once you have the correct sizes and adjustments for your horses, then there is an art to making a turn without risking breaking your wooden pole.
What’s Stopping You?
Traditionally, horses provide the primary braking action. As roads improved and speed increased, new braking mechanisms came into use.
Safety: Preparing Your Carriage and Your Team for an Event
As we head into the Christmas season, many carriage drivers are delivering Santa in holiday parades – so let’s set ourselves up for success! While you’re thinking about all the fun activities you will be participating in with your horses, it’s important to take a little time and check out your carriage and harness before the big day, especially if you’re using your much-loved antique carriage that you only bring out for special occasions.
That Magical Moment When It All Comes Together
For all the embarrassments and setbacks we suffer for our sport, there will be those magical moments that make it all worth it, those memories that we treasure for a lifetime. Every competition, no matter whether it is a national-level show, or your local club event, is also an opportunity to experience that magical moment when it all comes together.
Buying a Carriage: Two Wheels, or Four?
New drivers often ask when looking at carriages: Which should I choose? The answer depends on the size of your horse, and what you want to do with the carriage.
Ranch Ride Carriage Drive LLC 