Driving Drill Team

Riding drill teams are described as an “equine dance” on horseback, similar to a drill team on foot except that all performances are arranged on horseback.  This drill team performs with miniature horses hitched to 2-wheeled carts, driven by adults and youth as young as 8 years old.  Complex, synchronized movements and patterns are choreographed to music, made more difficult by the attached cart.  The horses and their drivers move as one, demonstrating great skill as they move through the arranged routine. The drill performance combines music, costumes and patterns to create an exciting and impressive exhibition for spectators. A drill routine takes many hours of planning, practice and rehearsals. The teamwork and precision comes through the dedication of the members.  Drill work is beneficial to the horse because it advances the training by practicing changes of speed and obedience to the driver, all within a group of other horses hitched to carts. The drivers also benefit from learning to listen to directions, building teamwork skills and bonding with their horses.

As the name implies, a Miniature horse is a small equine with the characteristics of the larger horse and pony breeds.  They are found all over the world and come in multiple sizes, colors and characteristics.  Miniature horses are friendly and make wonderful companions. They are often kept as family pets. While Miniature horses are extremely cute and cuddly, they still must be treated as a horse and need the same veterinary care, food, shelter and training that a standard sized horse would require. Miniature horses are popular with both children and adults. These versatile little horses can do just about everything a full-size horse can do, including pulling carts, obstacle driving, and attending horse shows. In addition, Miniature horses have been trained as service animals for people with disabilities. They are generally quite hardy, often living longer on average than some full-sized horse breeds; the average life span of Miniature horses is from 25 to 35 years.

For more information, visit the Double L Minis at www.doublelminis.org, and to learn more about miniature horses visit, American Miniature Horse Association, http://www.amha.org or American Miniature Horse Registry, www.shetlandminiature.com .