That would be exciting! Are they trained or young'uns ready to start?
Your Drive Day
- Thread starter MajorClementine
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MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
The one I'm looking at is a 5 year old gelding used by amish children to drive to school. He's already broke to drive in a team so I think that would be helpful with teaching Clem to be part of a team as well.
MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
Sorry for the double post but I just got a pic from my parents (who are living across the country in Illinois for a year and a half) of my dad in a mini cart hitched behind two percheron drafts. So of course I had to call them. I have been taking care of my parents horses while they are away and they bought me the Frontier mini cart that I posted about as a "thank you" gift for taking care of their animals. I'm sooooo excited! So this is why dad but the idea in my head to pick up another mini at Waverly. This cart has shafts and a team pole so it can be used single or double. I'm going out to visit in July so I'll be able to bring it and any horses home with me then. Hopefully he'll have our Fjord team and Clem's teammate
Oh those carts are nice! I had been looking at those last year. The mini you picked out sounds like a good prospect, I hope that you can get him. When is the sale?
What a nice surprise from your Dad!
What a nice surprise from your Dad!
jventresca
Well-Known Member
What a great surprise! I hope your pair goes together easily. I bought a mini from an Amish man to match one I had. The new boy doesn't have many manners but he's being very good to drive with his partner. They're not a perfect match; one is a silver dapple pinto, the other is a black and white pinto.
The weather here in eastern PA has been unseasonably warm so we've been able to drive quite a bit. I'm planning to go to Gladstone CDE in May so the boys need to be fit enough to trot 6 K at 9 kph. Gladstone is very hilly compared to my place. We'll have to take the boys out to different places to practice. Gladstone entries don't open for another month. By then I should have a good idea of whether I can get them ready in time.
We'll be doing the Training Level Test 2. The only bug-a-boo for us will be the rein back.
The weather here in eastern PA has been unseasonably warm so we've been able to drive quite a bit. I'm planning to go to Gladstone CDE in May so the boys need to be fit enough to trot 6 K at 9 kph. Gladstone is very hilly compared to my place. We'll have to take the boys out to different places to practice. Gladstone entries don't open for another month. By then I should have a good idea of whether I can get them ready in time.
We'll be doing the Training Level Test 2. The only bug-a-boo for us will be the rein back.
My shafts were shipped today. I don't know whether to hope for more snow or not. I'm thinking not. We have bare ground and I don't want to start mud season all over again.
You can expect more snow where you are, right? Those shafts seem to have taken their sweet time. Hope they travel speedily to you.
We might get more snow but the long range forecast is for weather in the 40's. March is an odd month, some years its very snowy and sometimes it can be milder and muddy. I think we're in for mild, today was cold but from Sunday on it looks warmer and damp. Last week we had a record warm day.
Your right about those shafts, I had just about given up. I really do hope that they ARE in the mail. My fingers are crossed.
Glad DD is doing better☺
Your right about those shafts, I had just about given up. I really do hope that they ARE in the mail. My fingers are crossed.
Glad DD is doing better☺
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MajorClem has the auction happened yet?
MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
It's not til the end of the month. I had my dates mixed up. But dad will be talking to the guy buying for us in the next day or two.
Glad your shafts are finally on their way. That did take a really really long time. Hopefully they will be totally worth it
Glad your shafts are finally on their way. That did take a really really long time. Hopefully they will be totally worth it
Loved catching up on everyone's drive days! I've been MIA due to work and the weather. I have not been able to get much driving done and it's driving me bonkers... Or driving me to moodiness as hubby would say.
I've driven once in the last month, not cool!
I feel awful that I'm "hauling" on his mouth in this picture, but Coal is having a hard time understanding his turn and not everyone I drive with wants to go full throttle or that he should always lead. He did well, but was very ramped up to do more than walk. In his defense, it had been quite sometime since our last drive and he generally gets to run off steam on our first drive out. Gave him a bib clip since it was a roasting 70*+ in February! He promptly rolled in the gravel parking lot after untacking.
In other news I've lost and gained a cart...
My recent project (Willow - Gypsy Cob) completely totaled the shafts on a new-to-me cart. We had a freak accident that consisted of her mowing me down with my own cart. I say it lightly as the incident could have been so incredibly worse, but was quite minimal in damages. I'll take a pretzel cart over broken legs and vet bills. Willow was hooked to my pony shaft, mini cart, just for sensation purposes. I felt brave and felt she was mellow enough to put the traces on... So I hooked one trace and started to head for the other. Realizing it wasn't my brightest idea I went back to take the trace off. She turned into the fence, poking herself in the neck with the shaft and startled. Turning into me she poked herself with the other shaft and made two circles around me with the cart, nearly flipping it. I was literally moments from getting her back under control when the shaft went through my belt-loop, my turn to panic, she got away from me about the time the cart flipped... Off she went, bucking like a bronc. Made a b-line for the fence before turning last minute and wiping out (cringe). Made about three laps around the ring with the cart upside down (creating tremendous amounts of drag) before she fizzled out at the corner of the ring, huffing away. Fortunately no blinkers, just a halter. I have a hard time believing she would have stopped with the blinkers on, I'd rather my horse know what's going on back there before introducing the blinkers.
Made it over to her, gave her a scratch and sat on the cart (now beside her) giving it my all to show it was not a big deal. Several minutes after I sat on the cart only then did I start to unhook her from it. Dragging the cart close enough to release the harness from her. Giving her a good pat and again, treating it like it never happened, yet sensitive to her sensory. I attempted to ground her by doing some lunging, but she was quite anxious, not excessively so... but she was not too interested in giving me her full attention. So I flipped the cart over and rolled it back to the barn in one hand and her in the other. She did remarkably well with me pulling the cart alongside and was never uncontrollable.
Sometimes I have to remember how easily it is to mistaken naivety for confidence. Without making the story longer I went back that evening to see how badly I damaged our trust (I cried over this accident and wanted to give up on the horses entirely, I felt like a complete failure for putting my horse in that position) She never missed a beat. Everything I asked her to do, she did it (granted no cart or harness involved). So we are building her back up with the false shafts. She's a little jumpier about things following her, but I am thrilled the accident didn't ruin her.
So, my pretzel cart... Which will eventually get new shafts. Amazingly the only real damage to said cart. Was an auction buy no less. This cart had excessively long shafts, which made it feasible to use on Willow for nothing more than desensitizing purposes, however, they created a great deal of leverage because of their length.
Hoping she comes around as I just scored a new-to-me EE Pony cart for $60...
I've driven once in the last month, not cool!
I feel awful that I'm "hauling" on his mouth in this picture, but Coal is having a hard time understanding his turn and not everyone I drive with wants to go full throttle or that he should always lead. He did well, but was very ramped up to do more than walk. In his defense, it had been quite sometime since our last drive and he generally gets to run off steam on our first drive out. Gave him a bib clip since it was a roasting 70*+ in February! He promptly rolled in the gravel parking lot after untacking.
In other news I've lost and gained a cart...
My recent project (Willow - Gypsy Cob) completely totaled the shafts on a new-to-me cart. We had a freak accident that consisted of her mowing me down with my own cart. I say it lightly as the incident could have been so incredibly worse, but was quite minimal in damages. I'll take a pretzel cart over broken legs and vet bills. Willow was hooked to my pony shaft, mini cart, just for sensation purposes. I felt brave and felt she was mellow enough to put the traces on... So I hooked one trace and started to head for the other. Realizing it wasn't my brightest idea I went back to take the trace off. She turned into the fence, poking herself in the neck with the shaft and startled. Turning into me she poked herself with the other shaft and made two circles around me with the cart, nearly flipping it. I was literally moments from getting her back under control when the shaft went through my belt-loop, my turn to panic, she got away from me about the time the cart flipped... Off she went, bucking like a bronc. Made a b-line for the fence before turning last minute and wiping out (cringe). Made about three laps around the ring with the cart upside down (creating tremendous amounts of drag) before she fizzled out at the corner of the ring, huffing away. Fortunately no blinkers, just a halter. I have a hard time believing she would have stopped with the blinkers on, I'd rather my horse know what's going on back there before introducing the blinkers.
Made it over to her, gave her a scratch and sat on the cart (now beside her) giving it my all to show it was not a big deal. Several minutes after I sat on the cart only then did I start to unhook her from it. Dragging the cart close enough to release the harness from her. Giving her a good pat and again, treating it like it never happened, yet sensitive to her sensory. I attempted to ground her by doing some lunging, but she was quite anxious, not excessively so... but she was not too interested in giving me her full attention. So I flipped the cart over and rolled it back to the barn in one hand and her in the other. She did remarkably well with me pulling the cart alongside and was never uncontrollable.
Sometimes I have to remember how easily it is to mistaken naivety for confidence. Without making the story longer I went back that evening to see how badly I damaged our trust (I cried over this accident and wanted to give up on the horses entirely, I felt like a complete failure for putting my horse in that position) She never missed a beat. Everything I asked her to do, she did it (granted no cart or harness involved). So we are building her back up with the false shafts. She's a little jumpier about things following her, but I am thrilled the accident didn't ruin her.
So, my pretzel cart... Which will eventually get new shafts. Amazingly the only real damage to said cart. Was an auction buy no less. This cart had excessively long shafts, which made it feasible to use on Willow for nothing more than desensitizing purposes, however, they created a great deal of leverage because of their length.
Hoping she comes around as I just scored a new-to-me EE Pony cart for $60...
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I know what you mean about mistaking naivety for confidence.
Glad it didn't turn out any worse.
Looks like you are having a good drive with Coal!
Glad it didn't turn out any worse.
Looks like you are having a good drive with Coal!
I started to hyperventilate at that the point where the shaft went through your belt loop. That was scary to read about. And the picture of the cart is another frightening thing. I am glad that you and Willow are OK.
Coal and his friend look happy to be out and about! I'll be clipping soon, too.
Coal and his friend look happy to be out and about! I'll be clipping soon, too.
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Squeaks, the high center of gravity on your new ez cart might be an issue. On an incline, you could get dumped out pretty ez-ily.
That was incredibly scary for me and I wouldn't be surprised if I had just let go over her trying to get away from her. I can't believe it happened, I mean the odds of it... One benefit to being a fluffy equestrian is it didn't occur to me the durability of a belt-loop, or in this case, a lack thereof. It broke about the time I hit the ground. Had it been my 90lb Sister-in-law she probably would have gone for a very scary ride.
Coal was very happy to be out! I'm so ready for some more Spring like weather, but not welcoming the humidity to come lol.
Hubby affectionately calls the cart an "Ez-Exit". It was purchased for my 14.1hh Cob, so there won't be any mini's pulling it, but I can still see where the center of gravity could pose a problem. I don't plan to take Willow (the cob) on any trail drives anytime soon lol, I think I'll be sticking to the ring with her
!I still can't get over the shaft through the belt loop. That is such a freak thing to have happen. I did have a mare once who was wearing a full cheek snaffle and got the cheek piece stuck in the stirrup iron when she went to itch herself. That could've been a train wreck but she let me disengage her snout from her side before panic set in.
Did circles with Rowdy then road work. I put a barrel in our circle pasture for another obstacle to go around. He is still resistant, but doing better. He did well on the road. I have not asked him to go past cattle and we've avoided traffic. I want everything to be positive for him at this point.
I started thinking about how far he has come since I've had him. He couldn't even stand tied without getting into trouble. And had never done anything but stand in a pen and get hauled around in a trailer. So, I think he has come a long way and I have to give him credit.
I started thinking about how far he has come since I've had him. He couldn't even stand tied without getting into trouble. And had never done anything but stand in a pen and get hauled around in a trailer. So, I think he has come a long way and I have to give him credit.
MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
I think a lot of the credit with Rowdy needs to go to you as well. It takes a good person to be patient and kind with a horse that needs some extra care while training. I'm glad you guys are turning into such a good team. I'm afraid I may have the same situation when I go to train Major so I may be picking your brain for pointers along the way.
The sun refuses to come out around here. I had a pretty bad week last week. I get moody (hubby says impossible) when I don't see the sun for long stretches of time. Last week everything that could go wrong did and I refused to deal with it. So despite my original determination to go drive last week I did not. I may be able to at lease try to work with Clementine on standing while tacking up this Friday while my son is in school. I need to re-fit her harness the best I can. I, with some help and observation from others, have realized that her original harness is now to small for her. What fit her as a 3 year old does not fit her as a 7 year old. I will adjust what I can until I can get her new harness. I will have it for sure by this summer but would like to have it this spring.
Anyway, that's my goal. Working on standing, adjusting her harness, and a short drive or ground drive.
The sun refuses to come out around here. I had a pretty bad week last week. I get moody (hubby says impossible) when I don't see the sun for long stretches of time. Last week everything that could go wrong did and I refused to deal with it. So despite my original determination to go drive last week I did not. I may be able to at lease try to work with Clementine on standing while tacking up this Friday while my son is in school. I need to re-fit her harness the best I can. I, with some help and observation from others, have realized that her original harness is now to small for her. What fit her as a 3 year old does not fit her as a 7 year old. I will adjust what I can until I can get her new harness. I will have it for sure by this summer but would like to have it this spring.
Anyway, that's my goal. Working on standing, adjusting her harness, and a short drive or ground drive.
MajorClem, I hope that the sun comes out for you this week and everything is done "going wrong" for awhile. Things always have a way of piling up when you need it the least.
I have been working on standing with Cappy, he is a fidgit in hand. Been taking him for walks and stopping here and there randomly, increasing the time he stands slowly. He's catching on. I wish you lived close by, we could make a team out of Clem and Cappy ☺
Marsha, good to hear about Rowdy having another positive drive. It sounds like he has made big progress since he began his training with you. I didnt realize he was so green when he came to you. My mom always tells me it takes a year to really get to know a horse, and them to know you. I think she is right.
I have been working on standing with Cappy, he is a fidgit in hand. Been taking him for walks and stopping here and there randomly, increasing the time he stands slowly. He's catching on. I wish you lived close by, we could make a team out of Clem and Cappy ☺
Marsha, good to hear about Rowdy having another positive drive. It sounds like he has made big progress since he began his training with you. I didnt realize he was so green when he came to you. My mom always tells me it takes a year to really get to know a horse, and them to know you. I think she is right.
My shafts came this afternoon. I just found a big box sitting in the middle of the barn ☺
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