First steps(or should that be hoof prints?)

[Dreams of Ashes]

I figured this might be the correct spot for this thread if not let me know where I should have put it.

I got my first driving lesson coming up tomorrow(12Nov24) and I'm so excited. It is also confirmed that the lesson place does board and has very reasonable(to me anyway) prices.

I also got the chance to speak with one of my brothers and he said that it's likely my CRV could handle a mini trailer.

Overall, I'm just excited to get started and see where things go.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Be sure to post how that driving lesson goes.

 

[Standards Equine]

I'm excited for you! The beginning of such great adventures. If you need an enabler to help you get into things like trail driving or showing, I am more than happy to help!! xo

 

[Dreams of Ashes]

I'm excited for you! The beginning of such great adventures. If you need an enabler to help you get into things like trail driving or showing, I am more than happy to help!! xo

Thank you

 

[Dreams of Ashes]

Well, I had my first lesson and I think it went well. Forgot just how much I enjoy even just brushing horses and all the sounds, smells and sights about the barn. It was pretty quiet as I was the last lesson of the day, which I think was great.

Olive or Liv the Morgan treated me very nicely. She's very quiet and prefers slow to fast but trotted very nicely when asked. I don't think I'll have much trouble learning to drive with her. They do have other horses who have more go as well. the challenge for me will be learning the harness and how to put it on properly, it's very, very different to the draft horse harnesses I grew up with. It is also very different being behind the horse like that rather than on them after so long, but I very much liked it.

I did talk a bit and I've firmly got the impression that there are plenty of Shetlands/minis around Kansas, but their people don't network real well, which is a shame. I'm going to have to see if I can find some local shows next year to attend and maybe look at Texas if I go to visit my aunt. I also found out that a big mini farm sometimes stays at the barn overnight when they travel through the area and they'll have as many as 30 minis with them! Their trailer sounds cool as well, it's a massive show trailer, but all the windows are at little horse heights. It sounds like it'd be an impressive rig to see.

I also spoke with my other brother who has more experience with towing trailers and he told me that I'd probably be better off with a small truck that could also double as my daily driver, because yes CRVs can tow(not much but I knew that) when set up for it, but he'd worry about the strain on the transmission should I ever get anywhere that's more the very mildly hilly. LOL, the area I live in is mostly flatter than a pancake, so it's not something I'd really thought of.

So that's the latest for me, now I just need my schedule to be finalized so I know when my off days are so I can sign up for some more driving lessons.

 

[Bennysmom]

Sounds like a great day! I think you'll enjoy driving, it's different than riding, lots of fun.

 

[HersheyMint]

Well, I had my first lesson and I think it went well. Forgot just how much I enjoy even just brushing horses and all the sounds, smells and sights about the barn. It was pretty quiet as I was the last lesson of the day, which I think was great.

Olive or Liv the Morgan treated me very nicely. She's very quiet and prefers slow to fast but trotted very nicely when asked. I don't think I'll have much trouble learning to drive with her. They do have other horses who have more go as well. the challenge for me will be learning the harness and how to put it on properly, it's very, very different to the draft horse harnesses I grew up with. It is also very different being behind the horse like that rather than on them after so long, but I very much liked it.

I did talk a bit and I've firmly got the impression that there are plenty of Shetlands/minis around Kansas, but their people don't network real well, which is a shame. I'm going to have to see if I can find some local shows next year to attend and maybe look at Texas if I go to visit my aunt. I also found out that a big mini farm sometimes stays at the barn overnight when they travel through the area and they'll have as many as 30 minis with them! Their trailer sounds cool as well, it's a massive show trailer, but all the windows are at little horse heights. It sounds like it'd be an impressive rig to see.

I also spoke with my other brother who has more experience with towing trailers and he told me that I'd probably be better off with a small truck that could also double as my daily driver, because yes CRVs can tow(not much but I knew that) when set up for it, but he'd worry about the strain on the transmission should I ever get anywhere that's more the very mildly hilly. LOL, the area I live in is mostly flatter than a pancake, so it's not something I'd really thought of.

So that's the latest for me, now I just need my schedule to be finalized so I know when my off days are so I can sign up for some more driving lessons.

So happy your first lesson went well and you enjoyed it so much. Happy days ahead!

 

[Standards Equine]

Awesome place to start! Congratulations, I'm very excited to hear about the positive experience for you. When I have new people come to learn driving, I explain the harness is 3 pieces, each with 2 parts: Bridle and lines (reins), collar and traces, Backpad (saddle) and breeching. You might not have used breeching on a morgan. When the time is right, I would strongly encourage you to buy quality harness, the best you can afford, from a retailer, not a catalog package harness. Ensuring measurements and proper fit will keep your pony happy for a long, long time!! Whereas cheaply made harness can do more harm than good and in short order!

 

[MaryFlora]

Congratulations! Enjoyed reading what you enjoyed and the plans for the future. Morgans are a wonderful breed aren’t they? I haven’t seen one in years but growing up in the Florida panhandle they weren’t uncommon.

Thirty minis in one trailer? It sounds fabulous and definitely something I would have never attempted to pull!

 

[Dreams of Ashes]

Awesome place to start! Congratulations, I'm very excited to hear about the positive experience for you. When I have new people come to learn driving, I explain the harness is 3 pieces, each with 2 parts: Bridle and lines (reins), collar and traces, Backpad (saddle) and breeching. You might not have used breeching on a morgan. When the time is right, I would strongly encourage you to buy quality harness, the best you can afford, from a retailer, not a catalog package harness. Ensuring measurements and proper fit will keep your pony happy for a long, long time!! Whereas cheaply made harness can do more harm than good and in short order!

yep, she didn't have breeching, and we used what I think they called a breast collar, since we weren't going for a long ride. It went obviously across her chest, I didn't really care for it(or at least that style), because I felt it was to easy to have it sit wrong and be troublesome for the horse after it was explained. Interestingly to me, the cart shafts had stops on them so the cart stopped when the horse did.

I do agree with you on a quality harness, not cheap but lasts longer and you have a happier equine who's less likely to do something funky.

 

[Dreams of Ashes]

Congratulations! Enjoyed reading what you enjoyed and the plans for the future. Morgans are a wonderful breed aren’t they? I haven’t seen one in years but growing up in the Florida panhandle they weren’t uncommon.

Thirty minis in one trailer? It sounds fabulous and definitely something I would have never attempted to pull!

agreed, I like Morgans for the few times I've met them. I bet the people who do pull the trailer are a hit, showing up with that many bundles of 4 legged joy and excitement.

 

[Standards Equine]

I'm picturing in my mind that you might be at a "fine harness" type facility, not a place that specializes in combined driving, or horse driving trials-type sport. In which case, you're right, the breast collars are quite thin and (in my experience) unfortunately the actual mechanics of driving aren't optimized. Often the pulling and stopping of the vehicle comes from the shafts on the saddle, not the single tree.

 

[Dreams of Ashes]

I'm picturing in my mind that you might be at a "fine harness" type facility, not a place that specializes in combined driving, or horse driving trials-type sport. In which case, you're right, the breast collars are quite thin and (in my experience) unfortunately the actual mechanics of driving aren't optimized. Often the pulling and stopping of the vehicle comes from the shafts on the saddle, not the single tree.

This place does both riding and driving with more of a focus on riding. I can tell from some of the pictures I've found that they have had people go on to show successfully in driving, but the pictures were from indoor arena shows like Hackney ponies where everyone is dressed super nice and they zoom around the arena doing exactly what I don't really understand yet.

I would agree with you on where the pull is likely from especially as they drive single for beginner lessons with a simple two wheel cart.

 

[Standards Equine]

Ah yes, fine harness!! Which is wonderful if that's the type of driving you want to do! But it's a very different focus and technique than training for combined driving, marathon or even attelage. I have a Hackney pony I accidentally acquired from fine harness that I'm retraining for CDE. After a full year, we were able to do our first derby with success and moderate relaxation. It is a different world. I spoke with his previous trainer recently, she's a heck of a horsewoman, great reputation, loves her horses and has a great group of clients. She trains saddle seat and fine harness. I come from dressage land. There's a lot of differences but, at the end of the day, it's all about care for the animals. Anyways, I digress... the blog I set up for "Falcor" (formerly The Speculator LF) is called "So I did a thing" and you can search for it on the forums.
Anyways, it's a great place to start but may not ultimately be what you want to pursue. Or maybe it is!

 

[Dreams of Ashes]

Ah yes, fine harness!! Which is wonderful if that's the type of driving you want to do! But it's a very different focus and technique than training for combined driving, marathon or even attelage. I have a Hackney pony I accidentally acquired from fine harness that I'm retraining for CDE. After a full year, we were able to do our first derby with success and moderate relaxation. It is a different world. I spoke with his previous trainer recently, she's a heck of a horsewoman, great reputation, loves her horses and has a great group of clients. She trains saddle seat and fine harness. I come from dressage land. There's a lot of differences but, at the end of the day, it's all about care for the animals. Anyways, I digress... the blog I set up for "Falcor" (formerly The Speculator LF) is called "So I did a thing" and you can search for it on the forums.
Anyways, it's a great place to start but may not ultimately be what you want to pursue. Or maybe it is!

I had read some of your thread but I went back and read the whole thing. Your little guy has come a long way! I'm excited to see where he goes with you.

I don't think I want anything to do with fine harness as a show, as I have no desire for a fire breathing dragon. I'm also massively wary of any equine sport that thinks I should be mutilating my horse's natural fly swatter, because to me that usual signals there are other horrid things you have to do to your horse to win. I'm not sure if this is true of fine harness, but my first exposure to the ugly side of showing was the Peanut Rollers(Western Pleasure) and Big Lick who also cuts tails(they tip to one side when the horse flags it) and that's the kindest thing they do. That of course is my own opinion, but I figured I should let you know where my mindset came from.

I do know I'm more interested in casual and/or trail driving although, maneuvering through pairs of traffic cones without knocking the balls off sounds like fun.

 

[Standards Equine]

I’ve had a blast trying out CDE. It ticks my dressage boxes and gives me enough variety to enjoy it all.