The health and safety of the people on the carriage and having lessons; other road users and of course, the horses, are our prime concern.
Even the most experienced, calm horses can become upset by anything that frightens them, such as sudden loud noises. Horses can become unpredictable, if they feel threatened. Carriage driving and any activity surrounding horses carries a risk of accident and injury. Our driving horses are very experienced, but no horse is 'bomb proof'.
When we drive in the fields and along tracks, they can be bumpy and so may not be suitable for people with a bad back. If you suffer from any health issues, please advise the trainer and when making the booking. Please telephone us on 01666 505051 or 07977 480144 to discuss any issue which you think could affect your ability to carriage drive or affect your enjoyment of the outing.
To take part in carriage driving and receive carriage driving instruction, people need to be reasonably agile to be able to climb onto and off the carriage.
High visibility on the roads is essential to give other road users time to react. High visibility jackets or vests will be supplied for the duration of the drive.
There are to be no sudden movements or loud noises, fireworks, shouting, party poppers, car horns, flash photography or dogs, for example, in the vicinity of the horses.
Horses wear blinkers so cannot see anything approaching from the side or rear. Always approach quietly and speak to the horse(s) if approaching from the side or rear. Whenever possible, approach from the front, so they can see you.
No children can approach the horse(s) without the supervision of a member of Learn To Carriage Drive.co.uk or the Cotswold Carriage Driving.co.uk. Children under the ages of fourteen years must be accompanied by a responsible adult when they are on or near to the carriage or learning to carriage drive. If learning to carriage drive, the responsible adult is required to pay the appropriate fee as an active participant.
Keep hands and feet inside the carriage at all times. Smoking is not allowed on the premises, in the carriage or in the vicinity of the horses.
Only those listed on the booking form can get on the carriage. No-one can get on or off the carriage without the express instruction of the driver or assistant. Accidents can happen as people get on or off the carriage as the horse(s) may move, so only embark or disembark how the operator or assistant advises as well as when they advise it.
Outer clothing: Like most outdoor activities, it is best to bring along waterproof clothing and warm clothes. We can usually store them on the carriage, if you don't want to wear them. We will provide high visibility jackets\vests.
Footwear: Wellington boots, stout shoes or trainers (flat shoes with a good grip) provide suitable footwear.
Gloves: We will provide thin gloves for when you are carriage driving, or bring your own riding or cotton ones with rubber bobbles on the palms.
Hats: It is traditional to wear a hat when carriage driving. If you have a riding or cycling hat, please feel free to wear it. We do not provide hard hats.
High visibility on the roads is essential to give other road users time to react. High visibility jackets or vests will be supplied for the duration of the drive.