Driving Horses: How To Harness, Align, And Hitch Your Horse For Work Or Play Download Free (EPUB, PDF)
Driving Horses is the classic reference guide for people who drive horses, whether on the farm, in competition, or as a business. If you've never harnessed a horse before, how do you make sense of all those straps and buckles? How do you hitch a pair so they pull evenly? How do you hold the reins? Driving Horses explains what you need to know to work with your horses safely and efficiently, so you- and the horses - get the most out of each day. Driving horses like a pro is all about the details, and this guidebook is built on details. With more than 250 color photos and diagrams alongside clear, step-by-step instructions, Driving Horses covers all the bases--from different types of harnesses and collars, to how to get a harness on and off your horse, to how to select the right work horse. Learn how to hitch a horse to an implement, how to maintain correct lateral and longitudinal alignment, how to grip the reins, and much more. Whether you've been around horses all your life or are just starting to work with them, you'll find this handbook essential.
Paperback: 160 pages
Publisher: Voyageur Press; First edition (April 15, 2014)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0760345708
ISBN-13: 978-0760345702
Product Dimensions: 8 x 0.5 x 10 inches
Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #262,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #94 in Books > Science & Math > Biological Sciences > Animals > Horses #232 in Books > Crafts, Hobbies & Home > Pets & Animal Care > Horses > Riding #232 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Individual Sports > Horses > Equestrian
I was lucky to have won a free copy on Goodreads, First Read Giveaway. When I opened this wonderful book I was amazed by the pictures, not just pictures but pictures that shows you what a horse looks like if you never saw one:)just kidding! It showed function of a harness on a horse, collars and their use, hitching, alignment, rein grips, equipments, making connections for multiple hitches, tandem mules, hitch wagons to spreader bar. The illustrations and photographs were sharp and detailed. I had no idea there were so many parts of a harness and straps, etc. I learned so much by looking at the detailed illustration pointing out what and where a "Hames" or "Surcingle" or Throat Latch could be located, I just gave a small example to what this book contains. This book draws you in by the clear photographs of Bridle Parts, Front Harness Parts, Rear Harness Parts, Overall Parts of various Harness. It explains pushing and pulling parts from the horse's viewpoint. Stopping and backing parts to turning parts and how to approach a horse carrying a harness, to securing the throat latch and how to hang up harness and hip strap assembly. The last chapter, "Getting and Keeping the Right Horses," well what it said, "if you get the right horses, putting them to work on your farm will make your days pleasant and rewarding. This book will pleasantly reward you with the knowledge to care for this amazing animal. Every page in this book had the utmost detailed explanation in simple terms to colorful pictures which you could easily follow. Thank you, I won this book on Goodreads, First Read Giveaway. Thank you, Darlene Cruz
A great book, mostly on driving teams and draft horses but it does cover light horses too, as on the cover. An excellent book, written by a true horseman/teamster. For practical driving, not so much for showing.
I had opportunity to pick this up from a local book store. I skimmed it and decided to buy it on the spot. For someone who has had a good deal of exposure to draft horse and pony driving, but not much explanation of anything that I was doing, the clear illustrations and diagrams of the lines were very useful. I also very much appreciated the direct explanations of Why certain parts of the harness had to be adjusted to this pictorial example of best fit, with an accompanying picture of poor fit to contrast. It is fairly basic information, but oh so useful, and no "old hand" I have ever met has ever either shown of explained this to my satisfaction.Things are either already adjusted to fit on each horse, or they say, "Tighten that a bit," full stop. if you ask what it does, you don't get much, or there is no time. Fairs are busy after all.
My husband says every beginning teamster needs this book! The illustrations are great and very helpful. We have been driving since 2010 now. Started out with a team of Shires. Drove them as a team and as singles. Enjoyed it so much that we got 4 more shires and now drive everything from a single to a 6 up. We still go back and reference this book when we have a question or something just isn't working right. A must have!
I recently became interested in driving minis and ponies/horses after a lifetime of riding horses. As I am "horse poor" I started by picking up harness and carts as I came across them. There is a confusing array of types of harness (unidentifiable misc straps and sometimes lack thereof) and wheeled vehicles. I have purchased other books that gave a little info. This book is by far the best that I have found!! Different types of harness, fitting/sizing information, adjustments that can be made, proper techniques for harnessing, hooking, driving (recreational and working type). Single trees, double trees, tandem hitch, unicorn hitch, spacing, bitting, over checks vs side checks, rein set ups, rein techniques. Who knew? I do now. This book is full of pictures and diagrams. I can now pick up a harness and immediately identify all parts and tell if it is missing pieces/straps.No laughing!! I feel like and expert now and can evaluate a deal or not, as to how many pieces of the harness need replacing! Very thorough information of proper fitting to your animals. May save some money now and have happy, safe, working critters. Driving is tons of fun once you have some knowledge. I would recommend this book for the clueless and experienced drivers. Steve Bowers is very knowledgeable and thorough. I will be on the lookout for any clinics that he may give. This is the "Missing Manual" of driving and utilizing horsepower.
Awesome in depth analysis of different types of harness complete with how to wrap, adjust and measure every piece a real driving necessity
Lots of good detail. Has more about teams than light horse driving but still a good informative book.
Great resource. Full of helpful information, great pictures, illustrations, and diagrams.
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