Carriage driving London Int

[rara007]

Traces were designed for pulling, I worked with driving horses for years, teams pairs etc (including the original form of FEI driving trials) and never saw trace rubs even on clipped horses. I think the tight turns and 360 degree cirles are very unnatural - where on earth would a road coach or delivery vehicle need to be continually be twisting and turning?

That’s the sport though- there’s no ‘need’ to jump 5* eventing tracks or 1.60m SJ courses or do 10min worth of maximum engagement Grand Prix dressage work. My traces do touch the hind legs quite regularly, and yes as a single my swingle tree is much wider but it still happens, but I’ve still never had a trace rub or seen one other than ^ thankfully

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM83PFN9G/

Ps. The FEI vets there were the same ones as the SJ and dressage

pps. You can see in my video even a right angle turn at a junction with an athletic horse will put the traces onto the hind legs. A traditional carriage would have much narrower traces and shafts- that’s why traditionally they’d cross their legs on a sharp turn- they’re not only touching the edge but running out of room.

 

[rabatsa]

I rode as a passenger on Boyd's carriage a few years ago and I asked him then if the traces ever rubbed. He seemed surprised at the question and said no.