NARHA Driving Terms

acronym for able bodied whip (driver); experienced driver who holds the second set of reins
and assists the participant (with a disability) as needed. The ABW must always have control of the horse while the participant is entering or exiting the driving vehicle.

a whip with disabilities who has the necessary experience to safely drive a vehicle unassisted by the accompanying ABW Whip. This experience should include at
least 50 hours of driving in various terrain and conditions, and a complete knowledge of harness and
vehicle terminology. The AID will progress to this designation as his/her skills increase and this will be the goal of many in driving programs.

-the part of the bridle that goes into the equine’s mouth, used to control the equine

two flaps on a bridle that keep the equine from seeing to the sides

the part of the harness which fits around the chest of the equine, and against which the animal exerts pressure in pulling a load

a harness strap around an equine’s hindquarters to help in holding back a vehicle on a
downgrade

straps that attach the breeching to the shafts of the driving vehicle

a head harness for guiding an equine; it consists of a headstall, bit and reins.

a two wheeled driving vehicle

a four wheeled driving vehicle

pad going around the equine’s neck, accommodating the hames to which to traces are attached,
an alternative to a breast collar

a padded leather strap passed around the base of an equine’s tail and attached to the harness
to keep it from moving forward

a bit-less headstall for tying or leading an animal

two arms that are joined so as to fi t in the groove of the collar, and to which the traces are
attached

noun: the assemblage of leather or synthetic straps and metal pieces by which an equine is fastened to a vehicle, plow or load; verb: to attach an equine with a harness to something, as a wagon

a trained equine handler who stands at the head of the equine with an attached lead line when
ever the equine is standing still. A header is required while the equine is being put to or taken from the
vehicle, while participant is entering or exiting and the vehicle and available whenever assistance with
the equine is needed.

a loss or abnormality of a specific body function

driving when the participant holds the reins and proceeds to learn how to drive

a rope used to lead the equine

the driver with a disability; client driver

trained volunteers and staff who assist in the driving program

an ABW taking participants with disabilities for a drive without any effort by that participant to learn to drive

the process of attaching the equine and driving vehicle together. Always bring the driving vehicle up to a harnessed equine that is standing still. Never back the equine into the vehicle.

a padded part of a harness worn over an equine’s back to hold the shafts

a trained assistant on foot in the driving area who watches for a possible problem and is
prepared to take immediate action

the rings on a harness through which the reins pass

the two straps from the breast collar connecting an equine’s harness to the vehicle being drawn

part of the harness used in a single hitch through which the shafts pass