Code of practice for horse-drawn vehicles
Published 1 January 2000
Scope of the code
The code applies to all types of horse-drawn vehicles used on the road, but it is primarily aimed at those vehicles carrying paying passengers, that is vehicles used for ‘hire and reward’. The type of vehicles referred to in the code are:
- 2 or 4 wheeled modern carriages
- 2 or 4 wheeled traditional carriages
- horse-drawn passenger carrying vehicles
The code applies to these carriages whether driven to a single horse or pairs or teams of horses.
The road driving assessment
This test is the recommended minimum competence for driving horses/ponies and vehicles carrying paying passengers on the public highway. The assessment is not a compulsory requirement for those wishing to drive horses but may be required if an operator wants to receive a local authority licence to operate a passenger carrying service. Applications for an assessment may be made either to the British Driving Society or the Heavy Horse Training Committee who appoint a panel of assessors. There is a small fee for the assessment and on satisfactory completion a certificate of competence (Road Driving Certificate) will be granted.
The practical driving section of the assessment, which can be carried out at the driver or operator’s premises, may be taken with a single, pair or team and will carry the relevant certification. The harnessing and underpinning of knowledge must include a single and a pair.
Grandfather rights for this assessment can be retained by attaining a certificate of Approved Prior Learning. This certificate can only be issued by a group of approved and qualified assessors, namely the Harness Horse Training Board, the British Driving Society or the Heavy Horse Training Committee.
Method of inspection
The competence will be assessed by direct observation of practical performance and oral questioning of underpinning knowledge. The assessment will be in line with safe yard practice and will take approximately 2 hours.
The British Driving Society Proficiency Test and the Heavy Horse Training Committee Road Driving Assessment test are directly accreditable.
The carriage check list
This is a comprehensive list of safety checks that should be carried out to ensure that the carriage and its fittings are safe and in good working condition. The checks can be carried out either by the driver/operator or by a panel appointed by the British Driving Society or the Heavy Horse Training Committee.
The road driving assessment, section A: prepare horse and vehicle for road use
Performance criteria
- Control of the horse is maintained at all times
- Harness is selected and fitted to the horse for road use
- Horse is safely hitched to the vehicle following laid down procedures
- The controlling position adopted is appropriate to the vehicle in use
- The health, safety and security of the horse, self and others is maintained throughout
Range statement
Harness: show; exercise
Vehicle: 2 wheeled; 4 wheeled
Knowledge and understanding
- Correct fitting of harness
- Dangers of inappropriate procedures and adjustments to harness
- Safety precautions to be taken when handling horses
- State of feet and the effect on pulling power
- Implications of the Road Traffic Act when preparing vehicle
- Importance of safety checks
- Mounting and dismounting procedures
- Why is it important to adopt the correct driving position?
The road driving assessment, section B: carry out road driving manoeuvres
Performance criteria
- Horse and vehicle are driven smoothly at a speed appropriate to road conditions
- Obstacles encountered during driving are safely negotiated
- The vehicle is correctly positioned on the road for safe and effective driving
- Road safety procedures are adhered to at all times
- Agreed cooling down procedures are followed on completion of work
- The health, safety and security of horse, self and others is maintained throughout
Range statement
Conditions: Traffic; road surface; weather; noise level; gradients; pedestrians
Obstacles: Road junctions; stationary vehicles; traffic lights; roundabouts
Knowledge and understanding
- Horses’ reactions when working alone and in company
- Importance of returning a horse ‘cool’ from work
- Effects of weather on road surfaces
- Operating limits on vehicles
- Application of the Highway Code and Road Traffic Acts
- Use of the whip
- Procedures in the event of a road traffic accident
- Types of hand signals
The road driving assessment, section C: Attend to horse and vehicle after driving
Performance criteria
- Vehicle is parked and secured at designated location
- Horse is unhitched from the vehicle, harness removed and returned to relevant location
- Approved cooling down procedures are implemented before horse is returned to stables
- Control of the horse is maintained at all times
- The health, safety and security of the horse, self and others is maintained throughout
Range statement
Vehicles: 2 wheeled; 4 wheeled
Knowledge and understanding
- Safety procedure when unhitching
- Recommended cooling down procedures
- Methods of braking and securing vehicles
- Circumstances when assistance is required
- Correct storage and security of vehicle
Carriage checklist, section A - 2 wheel carriages (traditional)
Area of inspection | Check | Reason for rejection |
---|---|---|
Wheels | 1. End play on axle | End play of 12mm or more |
2. Tight joints into hub | Any looseness found in these areas, by using manual force | |
Spokes into felloes | Any looseness found in these areas, by using manual force | |
Steel rim or clincher on felloes | Any looseness found in these areas, by using manual force | |
3. Rubbers for protrusion | Rubbers protruding from the channel | |
4. General soundness of wood | Evidence of woodworm, rot or cracks | |
Axles | 1. Collinge axle - nuts and split pin in place | Signs of corrosion, looseness or missing components |
2. Mail axle - check hub bolts and nuts on inside of moon plate | Signs of corrosion, looseness or missing components | |
3. Lubrication (both axle types) | Lack of lubrication | |
4. Washers and seals | Signs of corrosion, looseness or missing components | |
Shafts | 1. Thickness and strength | Inadequate thickness and strength in keeping with carriage size |
2. Wood and laminations | Evidence of woodworm, rot or cracks and delaminations | |
3.Slack and movement where shaft joins vehicle at drawbar | Excessive slackness and movement | |
4. Shaft fixings, bolt and bolt attachments | Signs of corrosion, looseness or missing components | |
5. Tug stops and breeching staples | Incorrectly positioned, signs of corrosion, looseness or missing components and excessive wear | |
Springs | 1. Leaves and fixings, especially ends of full elliptic springs | Broken, excessive wear or collapsed |
2. U-bolts supporting springs and their fixings to the axle | Signs of corrosion, looseness or missing components | |
3. Threads of nuts | Stripped or worn threads | |
4. Leatherwork and tension brackets on C springs | Deterioration of leatherwork and tension brackets | |
Body | 1. Woodwork | Evidence of woodworm, rot or cracks |
2. Panels | Cracks and safety related damage | |
3. Spring mountings and shaft fixings | Signs of corrosion, looseness or missing components | |
4. All bolts and screws | Insecure or general looseness | |
5. Seat securing mechanism | Insecure or general looseness | |
6. Cushion straps | Missing or damaged, insecure or general looseness | |
7. Straps and mounting irons | Missing or damaged, insecure or general looseness and deterioration | |
Swingletree | 1. Swingletree (wood or metal) including trace hooks and fixing bolts, chains (if fitted) | Insecure, hook screws not in place, signs of corrosion, worn or missing components, evidence of woodworm, rot, cracks and safety related damage |
Carriage checklist, section B - 2 wheel carriages (modern)
Area of inspection | Check | Reason for rejection |
---|---|---|
Wheels/Axles | If not steel: check as for traditional; otherwise: | |
1. Welds | Evidence of fatigue or cracks | |
2. Bearings adjustment | Excessive play, roughness or tightness | |
Shafts | If not steel: check as for traditional; otherwise: | |
1. Material and construction (especially where shaft joins carriage) | Evidence of fatigue (often indicated by cracks in paintwork), excessive wear around bolt mountings, incorrect components | |
2. Tug stops and breeching staples | Incorrectly positioned, signs of corrosion, looseness or missing components and excessive wear | |
Springs | As for traditional vehicle, and: | |
1. Coil spring | Incomplete, cracked or fractured, worn or corroded so that its cross-sectional area is seriously weakened | |
2. Damper Unit (if fitted) | Damage, corrosion, insecurity of attachment and fluid leakage | |
3. Rubber suspension unit | Looseness, cracks or fractures, damage or corrosion, separation between flexible element and metal | |
Body and swingletree | As for traditional vehicle, and: | As for traditional vehicle, and: |
1. Sliding body balance system (if used) | Insecure, hook screws not in place, signs of corrosion, missing or loose components, evidence of woodworm, rot, cracks and safety related damage |
Carriage checklist, section C - 4 wheel carriages (traditional)
Area of inspection | Check | Reason for rejection |
---|---|---|
Additional checks | As for 2 wheel carriages, and: | As for 2 wheel carriages, and: |
1. Forecarriage turntable and centre pin | Excessive play, worn centre pin, woodworm, rot or cracks | |
2. Support plates | Insufficient lubrication | |
3. Polehousing, polepin polehead and bearing (if fitted) | Stress cracking, excessive wear and excessive play in bearing | |
4. Shaft bolts (if fitted) | Signs of corrosion, looseness or missing components | |
5. Mounting steps, rails etc. and seats | Sharp edges, insecure, worn or inappropriate components | |
6. Hoods and folding moveable safety features | Sharp edges, insecure, worn or inappropriate components | |
7. Brakes: | ||
(a) Traditional | Worn, damaged or insecure blocks, excessive play or wear to linkage | |
(b) Modern (hydraulic) | Low fluid level or leakage, worn pads, excessive play or wear to linkage, damage to hydraulic line |
Carriage checklist, section D - 4 wheel carriages (modern)
Area of inspection | Check | Reason for rejection |
---|---|---|
Additional checks | As for 2 wheel carriages and 4 wheel traditional, and: | |
1. Ball bearing turntable (if fitted) | Excessive play and insufficient lubrication | |
2. Pole springing system | Signs of corrosion, missing or loose components |
Horse
It is recommended that any horse which is to be used for the carriage of passengers should be at least 6 years old. It is not the aim of this code to set out guidance or information on veterinary checks for horses and it is recommended that operators seek the advice of a veterinary surgeon on the suitability of any animal for the purpose of drawing a carriage.
Harness
Drivers should ensure that all harnesses are properly fitted and appropriate for their particular use. Harnesses should also be regularly checked for soundness and safety.
Further reading
- The British Driving Society Introduction to Driving (The British Driving Society) published by the BDS, Warwick
- Breaking a Horse to Harness (Sallie Walrond) published by J A Allen, London
- Driving a Harness Horse (Sallie Walrond) published by J A Allen, London
- The Art of Driving (Max Pape) published by J A Allen, London
This code of practice was originally published by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. It contains guidance jointly reviewed and agreed by the following organisations:
- The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
- The British Driving Society
- The British Horse Society
- The Heavy Horse Driving Committee
- The Joint National Horse Education & Training Council
- International League for the Protection of Horses
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