Driving "around"

[TTF]

We have an annual Christmas stroll here and are considering taking the minis down there to walk around in harness. We have easy access to parking, as my dad's office is in the area. Has anyone taken their horse to an event like this? I suppose this includes parades as well, as I am aware many people do this. What was your experience like with a harnessed horse (spooking, acting fine, etc.)?? I am concerned about passing cars which might and might not be a problem as our horses have driven on paved roads with vehicles before. It's currently being thought over, and I'd enjoy any opinions.

 

[Sue_C.]

We have done lots of parades, my horses and I.

The biggest problem I have had, is not with spooking, but with having the PATIENCE to stop-start-stop-start-n-stop again. That gets on some horse's nerves, for sure.

Generally you have to be there, and get prepared, at least an hour prior, then sit around twiddling your thumbs...and then expect the horse to do the same, without fidgetting. Some horses just are not suited to it...many are.

Here's wishing you the Best of Luck...and hoping to see some pictures.

 

[TTF]

Hmm....Thank you! I just want to clear it up now that this "stroll" is not exactly a parade. It's just an evening where everyone in town waltzes around and basically gets the holidays rolling here. We have jingle bells that rest on a horse's neck that we have been waiting to use for YEARS.

Keep the replies coming though, I'm getting myself too excited.

 

[MyLilShowGirl]

I don't think you will have a problem if your horses have been on roads before. Just practise jingling some bells by them and make them not there not scared. They may be a bit "fresh" at first...but will eventually settle down.

Good luck on your stroll!

K.

 

[Jill]

I think a lot of it depends on how many "miles" your driving horse has and whether or not he was started in an open bridle. I feel ones that are green of course will be spookier, but also ones that never got comfortable being able to see all around and behind them while driving in an open bridle, are much more likely to be spooky.

 

[wildoak]

We are also doing a Christmas "stroll" in a couple of weeks, will actually be a parade but very informal. Will be interesting, with all the sights and sounds. I'm not driving though, my gelding is 5 but still kind of green in harness and can be majorly silly. We will just be walking this year. Good luck, and enjoy!

Jan

 

[Marsha Cassada]

If it is in the dark, be sure to watch out for things on the road that might not be noticeable. Some horses are not comfortable with shadows. (I almost had a catastrophe with a drainage grill across a street. My horse saw it in time, thank goodness. ) Some strollers may have dogs. Excited children running up might startle your horse. A parade is much more structured, so you might encounter more varied situations in a "stroll". Sounds like a very fun outing, though, and a great chance to use those bells!

 

[LittleRibbie]

I dont mean to sound like sour grapes..but I think I would maybe reconsider taking him in harness this year. Instead just dress him up in his pretty bells and holiday ribbons and just lead him around. We are event planners/caterers and when we plan these winter strolls they often close the streets to cars, have Christmas Caralers, High School Bands, Street Performers...not to mention people giving away Apple Cider, Hot Choc, Popcorn machines....all these things are set up along the side walks and streets and there are people just walking everywhere ( lots of people because its FREE ) and not really paying attention to whats going on. IMO I think driving your little guy for the first time..in the dark...lots of stimuli...stopping for people that are not paying attention to where their going ( and you know how it can be ) might just be asking alot of your little guy. People are going to want you to stop and let them pet and maybe take pictures...blah, blah, blah. I think YOU and YOUR LITTLE GUY would have much more fun and alot less stress if you just strolled with a fancy halter and lead...then get the feel and maybe drive him next year AFTER you see what this year was like. This are only my only " Grinch " thoughts but what ever you decide please take lots of photos so we can see!! Have Lots of Fun and Merry Christmas, Heidi

 

[Sandee]

We have a rock solid old boy that we took in a parade a couple of years ago. We were slightly worried about the railroad tracks that had to be crossed so one of us walked along side. The tracks were no problem what so ever but on down the street was a crosswalk with lots of painted lines and there he absolutely balked at crossing. Funny how horses don't "think" like we do! Just be aware of all the "new" and exciting things that your boy will be exposed to and perhaps have someone walk along side him if you decided to "go for it". Have fun!

 

[skylineminis]

We are also doing a Christmas "stroll" in a couple of weeks, will actually be a parade but very informal. Will be interesting, with all the sights and sounds. I'm not driving though, my gelding is 5 but still kind of green in harness and can be majorly silly. We will just be walking this year. Good luck, and enjoy!

Jan

Jan, are you talking about the Georgetown Parade? I think Betty said something about you coming to that one. She want's me to come drive Tuffy so she can hand out cards and watch over all the kids. She's got 12 kids leading horses!!!!

Betty's going to the Burnet parade on the 8th. but I'm doing the Bastrop parade on the 8th. so, we will be spread out across Texas. The Bastrop parade is so nice. It's like a small town parade where people aren't affraid to yell "Merry Christmas"!!!! Not like the commercial parades in the bigger citys. Why don't you think about coming to Bastrop and joining in? I'll be driving my new gelding and I hope I get to drive him before the parade. I haven't harnessed him up yet. I bought him strictly for pleasure driving and parades. The other gelding, the pinto, is only a show driving horse and I don't do shows anymore, so, he doesn't get to go. I just got to find my sleigh bells!!!

 

[GlacierRidge]

I took my gelding trick or treating this year. My son got to run from house to house while I sat in the cart! There were of course kids and cars about...and the fire trucks were out too, for the kids, and had lights going, and they tested the siren a couple of times. Magic did wonderfully! I was so proud! He, like someone else who posted, didn't care as much for the starting and stopping that we had to do, but he was wonderful, like clockwork, the last half of our venture. There are pictures on my website of our trick or treating experience!

I bought those glow sticks, and had them tied to him, as well as some reflective strips on the cart, and a magnetic red light (could set it to contant on or flashing) for the back of the cart. Just safety precautions, so we knew we were well marked.

Good luck!

Angie

www.glacierridge.com/magic for pics