susanne
dB
First, let me apologize for not having photos, but didn't know that today would be the day...
We previously had gone so far as to set the shafts in the tug loops and walked around the corral. Yesterday I had Keith hold the traces while I ground drove, giving Mingus a sample of what the weight of the cart would feel like on the breast collar. He was a bit nervous with this new sensation and needed Mom's reassurance that all was okay, so I was very cautious and made certain he was comfortable with everything today before moving on. This afternoon it was as if he had done it forever, and so I put the shafts in the tug loops once again, and this time tied down the wrap straps. I walked behind the cart and we went around the corral a few times, and then I attached the traces to the singletree. Again, he was cool, calm and collected, obeying my rein cues and voice commands perfectly.
I was going to call it a day, when it hit me that it was time...the weather was perfect, Keith was home, Mingus was happy...and so I did it.
I gathered the reins and carefully climbed into the training cart, with Keith close to his head just in case. Mingus stood perfectly still, patiently waiting for my cue. I asked him to walk, and he carefully stepped forward.
WE WERE DRIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We walked and we whoaed...we turned...we passed the other horses, who watched curiously in the neighboring corrals. Finally, not wanting to tire him or push his first driving experience, I whoaed him and climbed out.
Mingus loves few things more than being praised...he always thinks he's wonderful, and he loves it when we agree. We petted and hugged him, told him he was beautiful, fed him (and everyone else) peppermints.
Our feet have yet to touch the ground!
I can now say that at long last, Mingus is a driving horse!
We previously had gone so far as to set the shafts in the tug loops and walked around the corral. Yesterday I had Keith hold the traces while I ground drove, giving Mingus a sample of what the weight of the cart would feel like on the breast collar. He was a bit nervous with this new sensation and needed Mom's reassurance that all was okay, so I was very cautious and made certain he was comfortable with everything today before moving on. This afternoon it was as if he had done it forever, and so I put the shafts in the tug loops once again, and this time tied down the wrap straps. I walked behind the cart and we went around the corral a few times, and then I attached the traces to the singletree. Again, he was cool, calm and collected, obeying my rein cues and voice commands perfectly.
I was going to call it a day, when it hit me that it was time...the weather was perfect, Keith was home, Mingus was happy...and so I did it.
I gathered the reins and carefully climbed into the training cart, with Keith close to his head just in case. Mingus stood perfectly still, patiently waiting for my cue. I asked him to walk, and he carefully stepped forward.
WE WERE DRIVING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We walked and we whoaed...we turned...we passed the other horses, who watched curiously in the neighboring corrals. Finally, not wanting to tire him or push his first driving experience, I whoaed him and climbed out.
Mingus loves few things more than being praised...he always thinks he's wonderful, and he loves it when we agree. We petted and hugged him, told him he was beautiful, fed him (and everyone else) peppermints.
Our feet have yet to touch the ground!
I can now say that at long last, Mingus is a driving horse!
