Carriage Driving Course
3 - 5-Days
If you’ve ever been curious about carriage driving, this is your chance to experience it properly—not just a short taster, but a truly immersive, hands-on course in the heart of the Cairngorms.
At Carrbridge Carriage Driving, you’ll be guided step-by-step through the full journey of learning to drive a horse and carriage. Whether you’re a complete beginner or looking to build on existing experience, the courses are designed to help you grow in confidence at your own pace, with plenty of individual attention.
Over 3–5 days, you’ll learn everything from meeting and understanding the horses to harnessing, putting-to, and handling the reins with skill and feel. With expert guidance, you’ll progress from driving in the school to driving out on quiet country roads and working through practical exercises such as cones and obstacles—developing real, transferable skills rather than just “having a go.”
What makes this experience special is how supported you’ll feel throughout. Training is delivered in a calm, encouraging environment, with safety always a priority. Dual-rein systems mean you’re never on your own, allowing you to relax, learn, and enjoy the process while building genuine confidence.
You’ll spend four hours each day actively involved, learning by doing, with time to reflect and improve as you go. By the end of your course, you won’t just have tried carriage driving—you’ll understand it, feel it, and be able to do it.
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Scottish Highlands, this is more than a course—it’s a memorable, confidence-building experience that connects you with horses, tradition, and the outdoors in a truly unique way.
If you’re looking for something different, rewarding, and deeply engaging, this is an experience you’ll carry with you long after you leave.
Day 1 – Foundations & First Contact
Your experience begins with a warm welcome—tea, coffee and biscuits—followed by a relaxed health & safety introduction.
You’ll meet the horses, learn how to work safely around them, and discover the important role of the groom. From there, you’ll begin learning English Coachman-style rein handling, first on training equipment, then progressing onto a real horse.
In the afternoon, you’ll be introduced to the harness—learning the names, purpose, and correct fitting of each part. You’ll also begin long-reining, helping you develop control and confidence from the ground.
Accommodation
If you require accommodation during your course, I highly recommend The Cairn Hotel—just 4 miles down the road in Carrbridge.
When booking your stay, simply email me for an exclusive discount code on your accommodation.
Example Carriage Driving Course Itinerary
3 - 5 Days
Tailored to your individual requirements.
Day 2 – Building Confidence & Understanding
After a quick recap over tea and coffee, you’ll get hands-on grooming your horse before practising harnessing and unharnessing with guidance.
You’ll deepen your understanding by taking harness apart for cleaning, then reassembling it—giving you real confidence in handling the equipment correctly.
In the afternoon, you’ll harness up, put-to, and head out for your first short drive, before returning to unharness and carry out full aftercare.
Day 3 – Skill Application & Fun Driving
Following your morning welcome and recap, you’ll take your skills further by setting up and walking a cone course or driving hazard.
You’ll then harness up and put-to before enjoying a fun, practical driving session, focusing on accuracy, steering, and teamwork with your horse.
Afterwards, you’ll unharness, carry out aftercare, and review your progress in a relaxed and supportive environment.
Your course concludes with the presentation of your certificate, marking everything you’ve achieved during your time with us.
