[drivingpairs] Hitching Pairs



Thank you, Kathy Robertson.  With some of the strange advice being posted, we 
were beginning to worry that we were doing something wrong,  that maybe we were 
supposed to be putting ourselves and our carriage in harms way.  Fortunately, 
you advised the same thing we've been doing for years, and the advice about the 
order of hitching is totally logical (Outside trace first not only keeps horses 
from swinging out, but they are rarely lined up perfectly parallel to the pole 
but butts are somewhat outboard and the outside trace pressing against the 
haunch brings them in where they belong.)
To add a comment.
If it's absolutely necessary to hitch by oneself, try bringing each harnessed 
and bridled horse up to a prepared fence or board and fasten the head (halter 
over bridle or ring on gullet strap) to ring on fence. The carriage, with pole 
facing fence, is already in place. Snap both snap shackles on breast collars to 
yoke, snap shackle near outside trace to carriage, then inside, then off 
outside trace then inside trace. Undo or unsnap halters or gullet straps 
keeping already joined lines in hand) )taking halters and lead lines or the 
(much easier to stow) dope rope with you, standing still at their heads for a 
few moments, telling horses to stand.  Then four steps to mounting carriage 
lines still in hand.  Horses should be trained to take a step or two back, then 
turn them a little to leave area.
Now after all that, don't do it.  Have some help to head them up.  
Bob T, Kanapaha Morgans
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