Your Drive Day

[Cayuse]

Hope you get your drive in while the snow is nice Majorclem.

Cappy was at it again today and we worked through it again today. He seems to have been taken over by his inner "roadster pony" or something. I have a feeling he may end up too hot for me to drive, although he was good last fall. I am thinking that the woman that helped me with him last summer might be able to get my husband and him working together.

I tried a different snaffle but it did not fit, just as well as his mouth was much quieter today and there was no need to swap things around and confuse the issue. He really was better today, but dang, he feels feisty!

 

[Cayuse]

My calm Cappy has returned! I worked him and then my husband took over while I worked Peanut. He was quite good. They both seemed to enjoy working beside each other while hubby and I talked as we walked. Maybe they were talking, too.

We used the new spotted harness and he seemed to like it so maybe it's good that I kept the darn thing. I also put a proper cavesson on him instead of just a noseband and he seemed comfy.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Our weather has been gorgeous, but I've had other things to do. Hope to take Dapper Dan out tomorrow. His stifle seems to be fine now and we could use a nice drive together. Do not plan to drive Rowdy any more.

 

[Cayuse]

Did you get DD out for a drive? Having a nice drive would be a good way to end the year.

MajorClem, did you get out for a spin?

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Did you get DD out for a drive? Having a nice drive would be a good way to end the year.

MajorClem, did you get out for a spin?

No. The dang wind has gotten up. White caps on the farm ponds here!

 

[MajorClementine]

Been doing everything but and now our snow is melting.... And I thought it was hard to get out to drive in the summer....

I have been out iceskating with my son a few times however so that makes me feel a little bit better

 

[Cayuse]

The otter sled arrived and I hitched both boys to it. I had a blast. I can't wait until the shafts get here so I can use the breeching and have some brakes and stability.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I bet I could use that otter sled here around the pasture. I need to look into that.

Finally got to drive today! A good way to start 2017! Weather is perfect. Dapper Dan seemed glad to get out. It was weird sitting behind him, as he is much smaller than Rowdy. He is such a good boy! It was almost too warm for him, with his winter coat.

 

[MajorClementine]

Hubby hung the heater back up in the barn foaling stall so when I finally get out to drive I don't have to worry about Clem getting sweaty then not drying well before the temps drop at night. I can put her in the large stall with the hanging heater at one end so she can dry out.

So glad you got DD out. How is he feeling? All better?

The otter sled sounds like sooo much fun. I would look into getting one if we weren't moving horses south now in the winter. Not much use for a sled in the desert...

 

[jventresca]

I drove the boys for New Years Day! Yay! I made them wear their sleigh bells. I'd put bells on their halters so they'd get used to the sound. They were very good about the louder sound of two strings of bells. We had to stick to the ring because the other ground is so wet it's very tough pulling.

 

[MajorClementine]

Woke up to a perfect cloudless sunny day after 3 days of powdery snow fell. "Time to go sledding!" I think. Until I go outside. -23*F Um no thank you. I thought my nose was going to freeze off just feeding the animals. We are truly in the middle of winter here now. January is usually our coldest with the winter starting to let go in Feb.

And I have the farrier coming tomorrow morning at 9:30. Hope it's above 0*

 

[Marsha Cassada]

1 degree here and snow. That is really cold for SW OK. Fur ear flap hat and insulated boots. But the nose still gets cold! One of my hens just settled down in the snow so I had to carry her into the chicken house. Horses don't seem to mind it much.

 

[Cayuse]

Snowing here, a balmy 23 or so degrees. I took Peanut out in the sled and once he settled down he was great. Initially he was jigging and fussy so I ground drove him with the manure tubs for about 10 minutes or so. At least I have found a use for the manure, lol. Two full tubs weigh enough to slow him down a bit.

Then I got in the otter sled and he seemed to have a good time. You can see his "wheels turn" in his wee brain. When things are different in any way he gets very stressed and worried. If you quietly work through it, he usually has a "light bulb" moment and it falls into place.

I have bells, cheap dollar store ones, and I keep forgetting to put the on the harness! I wonder what he'll think about that.

 

[MajorClementine]

Glad to hear Peanut had that "light bulb" moment with the otter sled. How fun for you guys! And glad you found a use for all that poo. Heaven knows we all have plenty of it

I told hubby about the Otter sled set up and he said "That's really neat, BUT since we are going to be moving the horses to the desert for winters from now on...." I finally find a way to enjoy the snow with the minis and... oh well. I'll prob use them more driving in the desert in the winter than I would driving in the snow anyway.

 

[Cayuse]

MajorClem I think I would trade my otter sled adventures for a place that has warm weather if I could! It was bitter cold today. My fingers take the worst of it. I would not mind the cold too much, but my hands just freeze up no matter what gloves I wear.

It must be getting near the closing date on your dad's place. I hope it all goes smoothly.

Part of Peanut's issue was he was afraid to cross over the tracks the otter sled made, lol. I think it looked like snakes in the snow as the sled has ridges on the bottom that leaves deep narrow tracks within the sled track itself (if that makes sense). Once he decided it was just snow he got over himself. He overthinks...

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Great snow outing! I agree about the hands. I tried putting rubber gloves under my regular gloves, thinking keeping the moisture out would help, but it doesn't really.

 

[MajorClementine]

MajorClem I think I would trade my otter sled adventures for a place that has warm weather if I could! It was bitter cold today. My fingers take the worst of it. I would not mind the cold too much, but my hands just freeze up no matter what gloves I wear.

It must be getting near the closing date on your dad's place. I hope it all goes smoothly.

Part of Peanut's issue was he was afraid to cross over the tracks the otter sled made, lol. I think it looked like snakes in the snow as the sled has ridges on the bottom that leaves deep narrow tracks within the sled track itself (if that makes sense). Once he decided it was just snow he got over himself. He overthinks...

I find that Clem overthinks things often as well. Funny how they convince themselves that something minor is a big scary problem.

He should be closing on the new property on the 16th! We won't be using it until next fall but we are looking forward to it.

 

[Silver City Heritage Farmstead]

Glad to hear Peanut had that "light bulb" moment with the otter sled. How fun for you guys! And glad you found a use for all that poo. Heaven knows we all have plenty of it

I told hubby about the Otter sled set up and he said "That's really neat, BUT since we are going to be moving the horses to the desert for winters from now on...." I finally find a way to enjoy the snow with the minis and... oh well. I'll prob use them more driving in the desert in the winter than I would driving in the snow anyway.

Last I looked, the desert has S-A-N-D. Lots and LOTS of sand. The otter sled would be great in the sand!! It doesn't sink in at all, it's easy to pull, and it's multi-use.

 

[MajorClementine]

Last I looked, the desert has S-A-N-D. Lots and LOTS of sand. The otter sled would be great in the sand!! It doesn't sink in at all, it's easy to pull, and it's multi-use.

Not gunna lie, crusin down a dry riverbed would be pretty cool....

 

[Squeaks]

It's been awhile since I've actually driven... Between weather and just being in a rut I hooked Coal up today. It was quite chilly for our area, but not nearly as bad as it was this past weekend BRRR!

Coal is finally packing on weight for the winter to where he barely fits in his harness (girth region) and barely fits in my shafts anymore lol. I'm sure his coat doesn't help, but just relieved to feel the difference in the weight he's gaining. He's such a good boy, my steady Eddie. I can't remember the last time I actually drove him and he didn't miss a beat. His previous owner is really hoping I get to show him this year *GULP*

Pictured on my parents property with what little snow we got this weekend