NEW Products - Very shortly I will be announcing the news that we will be stocking a new range of gloves, ideal for winter carriage driving! Also a new range of safety helmets will be available. Keep up to date by watching this BLOG!
1st November 2025, we are excited to announce that we now stock Uvex (German company) Winterstyle Gloves & Ventraxion Plus Gloves. Both perfect for the winter months. Special introductory price!
Customer Email - 'The LEDO Telescopic whip is great, so lightweight perfect for my aging hands', these whips are popular as not only are they lightweight, they can be posted!
Joanne has recently completed 1st4Sport Level 2 Coaching Certificate in Sport & Physical Activity. This is the second Level 2 Coaching Certificate completed, proving that I have the required ability.
Exciting News! Joanne Parrett & her driving donkey Lady Riki have been crowned Donkey Breed Society National Driving Champion, they won 2 classes (Private Drive & an Open Driven Dressage).
Joanne is now a member of the RDA Carriage Driving Advisory Group, who help the RDA with all aspects of Carriage Driving.
Having renewed my human First Aid certificate, thought I should update my Equine one. Great online course, all for £30!
Completed BHS First Aid Refresher course, valid until Feb 2027
Recent message from a happy customer! 'Just received my new Hauke Schmidt Leather Gloves (Arabella), wow they feel lovely, so soft, looking forward to using them in the show ring.'
After extensive research Take The Reins will now stock Hauke Schmidt Gloves from Germany, the leather gloves utilise the ultra soft Pittards leather familiar Carriage Driving competitors.
Completed an interesting course run by the Society of Master Saddlers.
Joanne is 'pleased to announce that we are now BETA Retail Members, together with Equine Fitters Council gives customers (new & existing) the confidence that we are professional in our approach'.
Just received an email with the following information ' You have been nominated for the Equine Fitters Council - BETA Equine Fitter of the Year Award 2024'.
Lovely email received from a customer ' Joanne went over & above to get the parcel to me quickly, arrived next day. Thank you very much'
1st4Sport Qualification completed; UKCC Level 2 Equestrian Coaching Certificate (Carriage Driving), 'I've put alot of time & effort in completing the Portfolio & assessments'.
Email received from a Website new customer ' thank you for the speedy despatch of the item I ordered from your website' always nice to receive a message like this.
Exciting News! Joanne is now an approved Harness Fitter & listed in the Equine Fitters Directory. 'Great to be recognised as an approved harness fitter, said Joanne'
As a responsible person who supplies, fits harness & as a qualified BC Carriage Driving coach vital aspects are always consider when dealing with horses/ponies & donkeys.
As part of my CPD I have completed: UK Coaching Digital Badge 'Duty of Care', shows my commitment to creating a culture of CARE in Sport & Physical Activity.
Take The Reins has announced that they will be sending a parcel of headcollars & small bits to the Gambia Horse & Donkey Trust.
Received a lovely test message today; 'Thank you for all your help & advice today, I really appreciated it'. Getting feedback like this is always appreciated.
Interesting short course that all saddle/harness fitters should remind themselves of the responsibilities that we have.
Thanks Joanne for gloves, they are lovely. Delivery was super fast, thank you. (Text message from a happy customer)
Lovely email received today from a happy customer ' Thanks Joanne for your time & understanding for my new horse's harness, cant wait to take him out for a drive' Thanks again
Today (7th November 2023) we received some great news, Take The Reins has won an award - Best Equine Carriage Harness Supplier 2023 in the Pet Products & Services Awards 2023.
Lovely text message received from a happy customer 'Fabulous fast delivery of our set of Tedex Shetland harness, thanks Joanne'
Joanne has been since April 2023 completing her Level 2 Coaching Course, by completing a Portfolio of tasks including evidence of coaching participants, her final assessment is in early October 2023.
'Thanks Joanne for your efficient service in sending out our new set of harness, I loved the goody bag of useful products, definitely recommend you to me carriage driving friends'
4th August 2023 - day that the New Website is Launched, Joanne has spent a significant amount of time uploading all the products in the new user friendly website - let Joanne know what you think?
'Your knowledge & experience helped me choose a set of harness for my 11hh donkey, it was well explained, cant wait to start training my donkey!'. (Email from a customer)
Great News, I received an Email from BETA to say we had been nominated for the 2023 Equine Fitter of the Year, fantastic news! Although we didn't get any further, we were pleased with the nomination.
