Equestrian:Activity guidelines - Driving

Activity - Driving

General

Horses pulling wagons, carts, sleds, harrows and other equipment is an ancient practice. Hitched horses have provided power for transportation of people and goods, warfare, farming, hunting and fishing for a millennia. In period, horses were led, driven, or even ridden while hitched.

Many non-combat SCA equestrian activities can be adapted to driven participation. When adapting equestrian activities to a driving, give extra space for hitched horses to make turns and remain aware that wheels/runners cannot step over equipment laying on or fallen to the ground.

Driving also opens up participation to individuals who do not or are unable to ride (e.g. passengers can participate in processions, skill-at-arms, archery).

Requirements:

• Driving authorization (Note - passengers do not need to be authorized)

Driving rules

1. A bridle with reins attached must be in place whenever a horse is hitched to a vehicle. If you violate this rule, you may be removed from site.
2. You must not leave a hitched horse unattended. If you violate this rule, you may be removed from site.
3. An authorized driver must be on the vehicle and have access to the reins whenever the vehicle is in motion.
   1. Exceptions for historical methods and equipment are allowed at the discretion of the Kingdom Equestrian Officer, on a case-by-case basis, and must follow the equestrian demonstration policy. Examples include led vehicles (i.e. carting) and postillion-driven vehicles.
4. The driver must be the first person on the vehicle and the last person off.
5. If you are the driver, you are responsible for having an adequate number of ground crew or passengers capable of providing assistance.
   1. Singles do not require ground crew.
   2. For other hitches, you must have one passenger or ground crew per every two horses or fraction thereof.
6. Intentional cantering of hitched horses should be limited to vehicles and harness designed to take the side-to-side forces generated by the gait.
7. Passengers using weapons do not need an authorization for the weapons. Responsibility for ensuring safe use falls to the driver of the vehicle.