Harness up, put-to and drive a Pair of horses on the public highway — British Driving Society Vocationally-Related Qualification Animal Care & Veterinary Revision

    This element focuses on the advanced driving skill of preparing and driving a pair of horses on the public highway. Candidates must demonstrate full compet

    Topic Synopsis

    This element focuses on the advanced driving skill of preparing and driving a pair of horses on the public highway. Candidates must demonstrate full competence in safely harnessing two horses, correctly attaching them to the vehicle, and maintaining control while navigating road traffic, adhering to legal requirements and codes of practice. The integration of horse welfare considerations with public safety and environmental awareness is critical for achieving a safe and proficient driving standard.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Harness up, put-to and drive a Pair of horses on the public highway

    BRITISH DRIVING SOCIETY
    vocational

    This element focuses on the advanced driving skill of preparing and driving a pair of horses on the public highway. Candidates must demonstrate full competence in safely harnessing two horses, correctly attaching them to the vehicle, and maintaining control while navigating road traffic, adhering to legal requirements and codes of practice. The integration of horse welfare considerations with public safety and environmental awareness is critical for achieving a safe and proficient driving standard.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
    5
    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
    4
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    BDS Level 3 Diploma in Driving and Working with Harness Horses

    Topic Overview

    The BDS Level 3 Diploma in Driving and Working with Harness Horses is a vocationally-related qualification that equips students with advanced skills in preparing, driving, and caring for harness horses. This qualification is ideal for those aiming to work in competitive driving, recreational driving, or the equine industry. It covers everything from horse selection and harness fitting to driving techniques and competition rules, ensuring students can manage horses safely and effectively in harness.

    This diploma is part of the British Driving Society's framework and is recognised by employers and equestrian organisations. It builds on foundational knowledge of horse care and handling, focusing specifically on the unique demands of harness work. Students learn to assess horse conformation for driving, maintain equipment, and drive with precision in various settings, including roads and arenas. The qualification also emphasises safety, welfare, and legal responsibilities, making it essential for professional driving roles.

    Understanding this topic is crucial for anyone pursuing a career in carriage driving, whether for sport, leisure, or commercial purposes. It integrates practical skills with theoretical knowledge, preparing students for real-world challenges such as traffic management, horse temperament evaluation, and competition preparation. Mastery of this diploma demonstrates competence and dedication, opening doors to advanced training or employment in the equine sector.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Harness fitting and adjustment: Understanding the components of a harness (e.g., collar, hames, traces, breeching) and how to fit them correctly to ensure horse comfort and safety.
    • →Driving techniques: Mastering rein handling, whip use, and voice commands for precise control, including turns, halts, and backing up.
    • →Road safety and legal requirements: Knowledge of the Highway Code for horse-drawn vehicles, including lighting, signalling, and right of way.
    • →Horse selection for driving: Evaluating conformation, temperament, and movement to choose suitable horses for different types of driving (e.g., pleasure, competition).
    • →Competition rules and etiquette: Understanding BDS and other governing body regulations for dressage, cones, and marathon phases in carriage driving trials.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Be able to harness up, put-to and drive a Pair of horses on the public highway, Be able to maintain health and safety of self and others and welfare of the horse whilst working, and minimise environmental damage, Follow legislative requirements,codes of practice and any additional requirements, Know and understand how to harness up, put to and drive a Pair of horses on the road, Understand how to maintain health and safety of self and others, and the welfare of the horses, Know relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice and any additional requirements

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for demonstrating a systematic approach to harnessing each horse individually, ensuring correct fit and sequence, with final checks for symmetry and balance of the pair.
    • Credit candidates who clearly perform a full safety inspection of harness, vehicle, and horses before moving off, and who articulate the checks if required by assessment criteria.
    • Assessors should look for effective communication with other road users through correct signaling and positioning, and adherence to the Highway Code and specific driving regulations.
    • Candidates must show that they can manage the pair during varying road conditions, maintaining steady pace and control, with prompt responses to hazards while considering horse welfare.

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Adopt a systematic, rehearsed routine for harnessing and putting-to; assessors value a calm, methodical approach that prioritizes safety and welfare.
    • 💡During the driving assessment, continuously scan for hazards and adjust your driving plan proactively, demonstrating advanced hazard perception skills.
    • 💡If permitted, verbally explain your actions and decisions, especially regarding safety checks and legal compliance, to ensure assessors note your understanding.
    • 💡Show consideration for the environment by avoiding unnecessary damage to road verges or surfaces, and manage your horses to minimize pollution or mess.
    • 💡Prepare for the unexpected: demonstrate your ability to handle common road scenarios such as meeting oncoming traffic, turning at junctions, and obeying traffic signs with a pair.
    • 💡In practical assessments, demonstrate systematic safety checks before mounting the carriage. Examiners look for methodical harness inspection and correct adjustment—rushing this step loses marks.
    • 💡For theory questions on road safety, quote specific Highway Code rules (e.g., Rule 215 for horse-drawn vehicles). This shows depth of knowledge beyond general advice.
    • 💡When discussing horse selection, use breed examples (e.g., Fell ponies for endurance, Hackneys for show driving) to illustrate understanding of type suitability.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Failing to check that the horses’ harnesses are evenly adjusted, leading to unequal pull and potential discomfort or loss of control.
    • Omitting to perform a pre-drive safety check of the vehicle’s lights, brakes, and shafts, which is critical for public road compliance.
    • Misjudging the increased width and length of a pair turnout when navigating narrow roads or passing other vehicles, resulting in near-misses or encroachment.
    • Neglecting to take account of weather and road surface conditions, such as slipping risks, when asking for transitions or turns.
    • Over-reliance on whip aids rather than voice and reins to communicate with the horses, which can cause confusion or stress.
    • Misconception: Any horse can be trained for driving. Correction: Not all horses have the temperament or conformation for harness work; suitable horses must be calm, responsive, and have good limb structure to avoid injury.
    • Misconception: Harness fitting is straightforward. Correction: Incorrect fitting can cause sores or restrict movement; each component must be adjusted to the individual horse, and regular checks are essential.
    • Misconception: Driving is just sitting in a carriage. Correction: Effective driving requires constant communication through rein and whip aids, anticipation of the horse's behaviour, and awareness of surroundings, especially in traffic.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •BHS Stage 1 or equivalent knowledge of horse handling and stable management.
    • •Basic understanding of equine anatomy and conformation.
    • •Familiarity with the Highway Code, especially sections relevant to vulnerable road users.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Be able to harness up, put-to and drive a Pair of horses on the public highway, Be able to maintain health and safety of self and others and welfare of the horse whilst working, and minimise environmental damage, Follow legislative requirements,codes of practice and any additional requirements, Know and understand how to harness up, put to and drive a Pair of horses on the road, Understand how to maintain health and safety of self and others, and the welfare of the horses, Know relevant health and safety legislation and codes of practice and any additional requirements

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