Question re: driving teams

[wendyluvsminis]

I must be being hit by empty next syndrome or something! I have a pair of big blacks that look quite a bit alike. They have both been trained (more than me!) and may be a team someday. I was out to lunch at a club planning meeting, and another member mentioned she has a small pair of draft team harness. Ooooo, collars, hames, they even have spots! "I have two little fillies that kinda look alike. They could be a team!" These words slipped out of my mouth. Now I am making payments on two small draft harnesses. Keep in mind, I have never driven a team. Now I am going to have two of them. Is this empty nest syndrome or just some form of horse related mental illness?

The "team" in question are coming two year olds fillies. One is silver buckskin. One is buckskin pinto.

 

I think they will both mature at around 31 inches. They are both very quiet. Do they look enough alike to be a team? Am I crazy? I could always use the harnesses for single draft, if I came up with a suitable cart(s). Or try to match on of them with something closer. I will wait another year to have them trained to cart, since they are little girls. Could I start ground driving them this year? Thanks!

 

[drmatthewtaylor]

They should look alike as much as possible in every way.

With that being said, my Grandfather Dr Sam Taylor had a team of a bay with 2 white and a star harness pony and a black with 3 white and a blaze roadster pony. Each was just average alone, but as a team they were better. During the 70's they beat a lot of well matched teams from all across the country and Canada.

Don't forget, its a horse show and people want to see show horses, attitude can cover up a lot of faults.

Dr Taylor

 

[Reignmaker Miniatures]

Far more important that general way of going (stride length etc) matches than appearance. A pair that matches for looks is nice but if they don't match in their movement they will never really look like they are working together.

 

[hobbyhorse23]

And just as important is that they match in temperament.

I've only got two minis and want to drive a pair so I'm stuck with a silver buckskin, single pleasure-moving, upheaded 2 year old and a 10 year old, chestnut, lowset WCP-moving gelding. You wouldn't think that would work!

But they spend all their time running the fenceline together in the paddock and are always matching strides, the one is forward and bold where the other might hesitate, and the more timid youngster is calm and accepting where the older horse can get stubborn and resistant. I really think they're going to work fairly well together and can't wait to get them started in another year or so.

The silver buckskin looks a lot like a gray when clipped and grays are considered to "go" with any other color horse in a hitch so I'm hoping that the difference in color won't be considered too incorrect for the ADS. Unfortunately it will probably nail us in AMHR competition as with so many horses to choose from, most farms are able to come up with perfectly matched pairs.

Oh well! They'll be a blast to drive and that's all I'm really hoping for. The stronger colt can take a lot of the weight when Kody's back suddenly starts ouching, he'll help lead Kody into those intimidating right-hand turns so he doesn't worry about his back, and Kody will drag Turbo headfirst into anything scary because he's not only bolder but has six years of experience with cross-country driving. They should compliment each other's strengths.

Keep in mind, I have never driven a team. Now I am going to have two of them. Is this empty nest syndrome or just some form of horse related mental illness?

Horse-related mental illness, definitely. Welcome to the club!

Normally silver buckskins do not go well with buckskins because they're such a different color tone but the fact your buckskin is a mostly-white pinto should help considerably.

They do look very similar physically! No matter what I think you'll have a lot of fun with them. Good luck on your new adventure!

Leia

 

[wendyluvsminis]

And just as important is that they match in temperament.

I've only got two minis and want to drive a pair so I'm stuck with a silver buckskin, single pleasure-moving, upheaded 2 year old and a 10 year old, chestnut, lowset WCP-moving gelding. You wouldn't think that would work!

But they spend all their time running the fenceline together in the paddock and are always matching strides, the one is forward and bold where the other might hesitate, and the more timid youngster is calm and accepting where the older horse can get stubborn and resistant. I really think they're going to work fairly well together and can't wait to get them started in another year or so.

Your teams sounds really cool, like they compliment each other very well. More marriages should be like that!

The silver buckskin looks a lot like a gray when clipped and grays are considered to "go" with any other color horse in a hitch so I'm hoping that the difference in color won't be considered too incorrect for the ADS.

Oh, that's interesting! That gray is considered to "go" with any other color!

Unfortunately it will probably nail us in AMHR

competition as with so many horses to choose from, most farms are able to come up with perfectly matched pairs.

Oh well! They'll be a blast to drive and that's all I'm really hoping for. The stronger colt can take a lot of the weight when Kody's back suddenly starts ouching, he'll help lead Kody into those intimidating right-hand turns so he doesn't worry about his back, and Kody will drag Turbo headfirst into anything scary because he's not only bolder but has six years of experience with cross-country driving. They should compliment each other's strengths.

Horse-related mental illness, definitely. Welcome to the club!

Do I need drugs, or should I just buy more horses?

Normally silver buckskins do not go well with buckskins because they're such a different color tone but the fact your buckskin is a mostly-white pinto should help considerably.

They do look very similar physically! No matter what I think you'll have a lot of fun with them. Good luck on your new adventure!

The harnesses are a good deal, and I don't have to "feed" them until I can use them. I could end up with another buckskin pinto or silver buckskin, as I own the dam of the silver buckskin, and my dear friend/partner owns the dam of the buckskin pinto.

 

Thanks for your help and encouragement!

Leia

 

[jegray21]

Just buy more horses! It's the only cure!

I have two that are inseparable and move exactly alike on is buckskin the other a dark bay...but they work together great! I have five that play in the pasture together and they all sorta picked their partner on their own!