Draft Horse Driving Schools

There are many draft horse driving schools both around the United States and the world. Some offer private or group lessons, and others offer clinics and classes that last anywhere from a day to a weekend to extended periods of time. Instructors offer to come to you or have you go to them using either your horses or their schooling horses to work with. The skills that you can expect to learn include harnesses and how to tack up the horse and hook it up to the cart or wagon; basic skills such as turning, backing and stopping; driving in public places around traffic, parades and crowds; and driving a single horse and multiple horses, also known as two in hand or four in hand. Prices vary by school and clinic.

  1. The Frasier School of Driving

    • The Frasier School of Driving is open year round and offers clinics and classes for both beginners and experienced drivers. The school recommends that you use one of its horses if you do not have a well-trained driving horse. It offers harnesses, carts and wagons for sale. As of July 2010, rates are from $50 per hour for advanced students who have been through previous training to $400 per day for clinics.

      The Frasier School of Driving

      255 Boulder Road

      Deer Lodge, MT 59722

      (406) 846-3686

      drivehorses.com

    Harmon's Horse Drawn Hayrides & Carriages

    • Harmon's Horse Drawn Hayrides & Carriages offers training for both horse and driver. The company offers a series of six lessons from beginner to advanced. As of July 2010, the fees are $50 for an introductory class and $360 for each six-class session due at your first lesson.

      Harmon's Horse Drawn Hayrides & Carriages

      Meadow Acres Farm

      14488 Weeping Willow Lane

      Brandy Station, VA 22714

      (540) 825-6707

      harmonscarriages.com

    Fair Winds Farm

    • Fair Winds Farm offers many driving workshops, specializing in farm work. Its four-day workshop includes meals, camping spaces and showers. As of July 2010, the fees are $135 per day for less than four days, or $485 per person for a four-day workshop. Dates and topics of the workshops change due to what is needed. A 2010 registration form is available for download from their site.

      Fair Winds Farm

      511 Upper Dummerston Road

      Battleboro, VT 05301

      (802) 254-9067

      fairwindsfarm.org