Regency Performance Miniatures :: Mini Driving 101

Mini Driving 101

Put the bridle on next. Place your right arm under the horse's jaw (T) to guide the bit into his mouth. Hold the top of the bridle in your other hand (U) and lift it up as the horse accepts the bit. Keep the forelock tucked neatly under the browband and ease the crownpiece over the horse's ears. Buckle the cavesson after making sure it is inside the cheekpieces of the bridle. It should be snug but not tight. Buckle the throatlatch. It should be tighter than for a riding bridle; you should be able
to fit two fingers beneath it.

Notice that the cheekpieces are adjusted so that the horse's eyes are right in the middle of the blinkers (V). If the blinkers are too high or too low the horse can see around them. Some horses are afraid of the cart wheels, thinking the wheels are chasing them. If they run from the cart, it follows them!

The cavesson should be about a finger's width below the horse's cheekbone, like a show halter.

Pull the reins forward from the turrets and buckle them to the bit (W).The bit should be adjusted according to the type you are using. A snaffle type should cause the wrinkle or two in the corner of the horse's mouth. The cheekpieces should not gap away from the horse's face; then he could see behind.