He is a good boy, way to go DD! He looks so cute in his ear bonnet, too.
The bag looks great!
The bag looks great!
Your Drive Day
- Thread starter MajorClementine
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MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
Wow looks like everyone has been busy! Sorry I've been AWOL. Driving half way across the country will do that to you. Don't worry though, I'll be catching up on the spreadsheet and the driving hours very soon. Just keep posting and and I'll get caught up before we jump into August.
I know they aren't minis but my son and I got to drive the new Fjord team today. Well, he drove the team then I drove them single. It's so nice that they will willingly go together or alone. They don't come home until the end of September but it was good to finally meet/drive them.
Just wanted to check in quick to let you guys know I haven't abandoned the Driving Hours project. I may have even picked up a few prizes while out in Amish country. I'll post pics and more info soon. Happy Driving!
I know they aren't minis but my son and I got to drive the new Fjord team today. Well, he drove the team then I drove them single. It's so nice that they will willingly go together or alone. They don't come home until the end of September but it was good to finally meet/drive them.
Just wanted to check in quick to let you guys know I haven't abandoned the Driving Hours project. I may have even picked up a few prizes while out in Amish country. I'll post pics and more info soon. Happy Driving!
Good to hear your having fun MajorClem!
We had Cappy out today for the first time since the big thundershower we got caught in. He was very sensible. I thought he might be a bit nervous as the last outing ended with him being afraid from the thunder, but he was fine. I ground drove him for quite awhile and then hubby took him out in the field and drove for about 15 minutes. The bugs drove us in. Those tiny gnats that bounce around their eyes are hateful .
We had Cappy out today for the first time since the big thundershower we got caught in. He was very sensible. I thought he might be a bit nervous as the last outing ended with him being afraid from the thunder, but he was fine. I ground drove him for quite awhile and then hubby took him out in the field and drove for about 15 minutes. The bugs drove us in. Those tiny gnats that bounce around their eyes are hateful .
Well, our Stand didn't go so well today. I turned my back to get something and Dapper Dan took off, scattering harness parts along the way. He headed for the back 40, behind the pond. So, we had to work on the Stand some more, and I kept my foot on the reins while harnessing--just in case.
I called and left a message with Bubba's owner to see if I could borrow him for a month or so, just to see if he will work for me. That way I can check him out, get him wormed and some good hoof care, and possibly schedule the dentist. I would know in a month if he will work for cart work. If he doesn't, back he goes and I'm free. It will also be important that he is a good fit for Dapper Dan. Rowdy was not, and I realize it more the longer Rowdy is gone. We are both much happier and relaxed without him.
I called and left a message with Bubba's owner to see if I could borrow him for a month or so, just to see if he will work for me. That way I can check him out, get him wormed and some good hoof care, and possibly schedule the dentist. I would know in a month if he will work for cart work. If he doesn't, back he goes and I'm free. It will also be important that he is a good fit for Dapper Dan. Rowdy was not, and I realize it more the longer Rowdy is gone. We are both much happier and relaxed without him.
That sounds like a good plan for Bubba. I hope his owners will agree to that for you. It sounds like a win win for both parties involved. Do you know if he has ever been in harness?
Hope DD didn't demolish anything on his jaunt through the back 40.
Yesterday I drove Peanut and worked on hitching him alone. My husband was close by in case I needed a third hand. We did OK, but if I was faster it would be better. I still have not remembered to get my snaps for the holdbacks and I know that those would cut back the fiddling considerably. I got it done, but my old instructor would've been horrified at my sloppy ways.
We had a nice drive and I let him move out at the end. I usually keep it to a pleasure trot but he was being so good I decided to ask for more and he happily complied.
Hope DD didn't demolish anything on his jaunt through the back 40.
Yesterday I drove Peanut and worked on hitching him alone. My husband was close by in case I needed a third hand. We did OK, but if I was faster it would be better. I still have not remembered to get my snaps for the holdbacks and I know that those would cut back the fiddling considerably. I got it done, but my old instructor would've been horrified at my sloppy ways.
We had a nice drive and I let him move out at the end. I usually keep it to a pleasure trot but he was being so good I decided to ask for more and he happily complied.
I did it!
I harnessed Peanut up in the barn, put the halter on over the bridle tied him to the post (with a safety knot) with a hay bag in front of him and hitched him up without any help.
Hubby watched from a distance, just in case. When the halter came off and the lines picked up, he automatically went into reverse and slowly backed himself up and off he went, he knew the routine by heart!
I am not too keen on having the hay bag in front of him, I will see how he does without it. But I think this is the routine he is used to as he knew every "step" of it.
We had a nice drive but he was a little bit goosey. I think he was hoping to get asked to move out again, but not today. Once he decided that it was back to slow and steady he got over himself.
I harnessed Peanut up in the barn, put the halter on over the bridle tied him to the post (with a safety knot) with a hay bag in front of him and hitched him up without any help.
Hubby watched from a distance, just in case. When the halter came off and the lines picked up, he automatically went into reverse and slowly backed himself up and off he went, he knew the routine by heart!
I am not too keen on having the hay bag in front of him, I will see how he does without it. But I think this is the routine he is used to as he knew every "step" of it.
We had a nice drive but he was a little bit goosey. I think he was hoping to get asked to move out again, but not today. Once he decided that it was back to slow and steady he got over himself.
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MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
Cayuse: I'm so glad you are finding a system so you will be able to drive more often. And what a good boy your Peanut is being.
Marsha: A trial run of Bubba would be a good thing. I know that cat and dog rescues are big advocates of the trial period so why not horse owners? I'm glad that you are not regretting your decision to find Rowdy a new home. Sounds like DD agrees with the decision as well.
I picked up my full comfy fit harness direct from Countryside Manufacturing while I was in Iowa this past week. I have to tell you, LeRoy who owns the shop is a great guy. He goes out of his way to make sure you are happy and everything is working for you. If you have any questions or concerns he is more than happy to discuss and help find solutions. He's also very good at problem solving so if you have a horse, vehicle, or harness that needs something unique he'll help figure out something that will work.
Anyway... so I was all excited to go try it out as soon as I got home and I came home with a nasty cold. My head feels like it's going to explode and I'm congested. I just want to sleep for a week. So feeding this morning and evening and checking water was the only attention any of the horses got from me. Oh, and fly spray...
Here's to a quick work week, feeling better, and trying out the new harness!
Marsha: A trial run of Bubba would be a good thing. I know that cat and dog rescues are big advocates of the trial period so why not horse owners? I'm glad that you are not regretting your decision to find Rowdy a new home. Sounds like DD agrees with the decision as well.
I picked up my full comfy fit harness direct from Countryside Manufacturing while I was in Iowa this past week. I have to tell you, LeRoy who owns the shop is a great guy. He goes out of his way to make sure you are happy and everything is working for you. If you have any questions or concerns he is more than happy to discuss and help find solutions. He's also very good at problem solving so if you have a horse, vehicle, or harness that needs something unique he'll help figure out something that will work.
Anyway... so I was all excited to go try it out as soon as I got home and I came home with a nasty cold. My head feels like it's going to explode and I'm congested. I just want to sleep for a week. So feeding this morning and evening and checking water was the only attention any of the horses got from me. Oh, and fly spray...
Here's to a quick work week, feeling better, and trying out the new harness!
I hope your cold doesn't keep you from seeing the mare tomorrow.
Will you post some pictures of your new harness when you get it all situated? I would like to see it. Did you get the one with the new fangled soft collar? I forget exactly what they are called, Freedom Collar maybe?
Feel better soon!
Will you post some pictures of your new harness when you get it all situated? I would like to see it. Did you get the one with the new fangled soft collar? I forget exactly what they are called, Freedom Collar maybe?
Feel better soon!
MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
The new Superflex collar is just like the comfy fit but you can get it lined with a color. What's funny about that is when I was out there last October my father and I talked to LeRoy about using a color lining in the euro collar. We also asked if he could make some of the harness parts in an accent color since he uses beta or bio and those both come in tons of colors. He did one with white just to see if it would work. Dad said since then he has had several requests for them since then and now he's decided to make the "Marafun" harness. It's a basic harness with every color option you could possibly dream up. My harness, however, is just the basic ComfyFit with the deluxe deep V breast collar. I may get a euro collar in the future. I did get the patent leather on it though because I think a little bit of shine looks nice.
Today is a better day than yesterday as far as my cold goes. I'm still planning on going to see the possible new driving mare this evening once I get through work. Lucky for me I have a straightforward day of regular dogs to groom so working with a cold isn't a big deal. Tomorrow is another story....but I'll worry about that tomorrow.
Today is a better day than yesterday as far as my cold goes. I'm still planning on going to see the possible new driving mare this evening once I get through work. Lucky for me I have a straightforward day of regular dogs to groom so working with a cold isn't a big deal. Tomorrow is another story....but I'll worry about that tomorrow.
I saw the Marafun harness on their website a couple of weeks ago. They do look lik "fun" but 8 would never be able to!decide what color I would want!
I see I have added a random 8 along with the !'s
I see I have added a random 8 along with the !'s
MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
I know it's probably frustrating for you but I have to say, the random 8's along with the !'s made me laugh. And I feel like I've been hit by a truck so that was a great little bright spot in my day. I wonder what it will add next.
As for the marafun, I agree it looks like fun. We considered getting the superflex collar with red lining for the Fjords but then decided it would be too limiting since we didn't want to have to buy multiple harnesses at this point. We may, in the future, decide to get different colored harness parts to add when we are driving different vehicles. Like my lime green reigns for example. I think I'd like to get a colored noseband for Clementine or maybe a few different ones and change those out depending on my mood
Nice having so many harness options. Where I am, everything has to be ordered online so one cannot see it in person first. There is nothing for miniatures around me.
Dapper Dan was obviously not going to Stand today. We had a lesson, but I kept one hand on the rein. Good thing, too...
He got startled by a huge crane flying up out of a culvert, but nothing dangerous. On the way home, he looked that culvert over pretty carefully as we crossed it.
Dapper Dan was obviously not going to Stand today. We had a lesson, but I kept one hand on the rein. Good thing, too...
He got startled by a huge crane flying up out of a culvert, but nothing dangerous. On the way home, he looked that culvert over pretty carefully as we crossed it.
I also have to order most things online, I can get halters locally and that is about it.
I would be startled by that crane too, flapping up out of nowhere!
MajorClem, no more 8's have appeared today, but then again the !'s seemed to have gone into hiding and I think they are related. Gremlins!
Hope you feel better real quick!
I would be startled by that crane too, flapping up out of nowhere!
MajorClem, no more 8's have appeared today, but then again the !'s seemed to have gone into hiding and I think they are related. Gremlins!
Hope you feel better real quick!
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jeanniecogan
Well-Known Member
I have never lived close to mini anything. not even the horses. always had to travel or buy site unseen. it sure would be nice to walk into a store and actually pick out which one i want. HEY, I KNOW. we should all move to Miniville. hehe.
MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
There you go. We should just buy a valley somewhere and set up a town. We can have dirt paths instead of sidewalks and hitching rails at our homes and stores. Like Norco, CA.
I really enjoyed going to Iowa and being able to see the harnesses and actually talk with the harness maker about what I wanted. Sadly it was a 20 hour drive each way (and not the main reason I went) so I don't know that it will happen again soon. But it was a treat
jventresca
Well-Known Member
I'm spoiled rotten! I live about 2 hours drive from Driver Heaven, the Lancaster County Amish community. Pequea Carriage Shop, Yonie's Harness Shop, and Driving Essentials are all there. Center Square Harness Shop, where I get most of my harness is a few more minutes down the road. Bird in Hand Carriage is a few roads south. The big Martin Carriage Auction is another 1/2 hour down the PA Turnpike.
There are some miniature horses for sale in this area but no big breeders like you have in Texas or the Carolinas. Most of the minis the Amish have aren't registered.
On the flip side I can't drive out my driveway without chancing becoming road kill. Seriously, I might as well live in a city. The closest trails are a 1/2 hour trailer ride away. I drive as much as I can on our little farmette. So there's always a tradeoff. Enjoy what you have!
There are some miniature horses for sale in this area but no big breeders like you have in Texas or the Carolinas. Most of the minis the Amish have aren't registered.
On the flip side I can't drive out my driveway without chancing becoming road kill. Seriously, I might as well live in a city. The closest trails are a 1/2 hour trailer ride away. I drive as much as I can on our little farmette. So there's always a tradeoff. Enjoy what you have!
I can't drive on the roads here, either. The drivers are dangerous. I remember as a kid I!could ride all over town, from one end to the other, and never worry. We used to have orchards we could ride through. Two separate apple farms were connected by a dirt road and you could ride all day through them. Now its mostly houses :-(
and we are no longer a farming community but rather a suburb of Boston at this point. The sad thing is that people moved here because they liked the rural nature of the place but once they settled in, those very same people were very vocal in their complaints about the ruralness. They don't like farms, chickens, horses etc. and slowly the zoning is changing to exclude the very things that attracted them here in the first place.
We are hoping to move, but it just doesn't ever quite come together. I think we are getting closer, though!
and we are no longer a farming community but rather a suburb of Boston at this point. The sad thing is that people moved here because they liked the rural nature of the place but once they settled in, those very same people were very vocal in their complaints about the ruralness. They don't like farms, chickens, horses etc. and slowly the zoning is changing to exclude the very things that attracted them here in the first place.
We are hoping to move, but it just doesn't ever quite come together. I think we are getting closer, though!
MajorClementine
Well-Known Member
^^ That sounds exactly like what is happening here. Everyone wants to move to the cute farm town and now it's full of million dollar homes and property taxes are through the roof. Breaks my heart. They are currently putting in our first traffic light. Time to move...
I put all the new gear on Clem today and it fit great. However, I need thimbles for my sulky because the breeching is just not working, it wasn't designed to work with one. I also think I need to switch back to my leather lines. The beta ones I got are heavy and not working for us. I'll use them for riding reins instead on my big guy
Clem was a bit naughty but I can't really expect more since I've been neglecting her. What really worried me was her stifle making a popping noise. It happened several years ago on a drive but hasn't happened since until today. Those who have experience with a slip stifle feel free to chime in.
I put all the new gear on Clem today and it fit great. However, I need thimbles for my sulky because the breeching is just not working, it wasn't designed to work with one. I also think I need to switch back to my leather lines. The beta ones I got are heavy and not working for us. I'll use them for riding reins instead on my big guy
Clem was a bit naughty but I can't really expect more since I've been neglecting her. What really worried me was her stifle making a popping noise. It happened several years ago on a drive but hasn't happened since until today. Those who have experience with a slip stifle feel free to chime in.
Is she sore on the stifle or just out of shape? If she is just out of shape with weaker stifles, a lot of walking with sets of short trots, lengthening the time of the trotting as she strengthens should help. Also walking/trotting over poles in hand or being ground driven is a good exercise.
Try to avoid small circles and sharp turns so not to stress the joint. My vet said trotting on an slight incline will also help strengthen the stifles. She also told me that they should have as much turnout as possible because the more they move the better it is for them.
I have had three with not the best stifles in the world and they all improved with exercise. One was very old and had arthritis, he needed previcox along with exercise, but the exercise in moderation was a big help in keeping him limber (he was not a mini but a medium pony).
I am also interested in hearing others stifles stories and suggestions.
Try to avoid small circles and sharp turns so not to stress the joint. My vet said trotting on an slight incline will also help strengthen the stifles. She also told me that they should have as much turnout as possible because the more they move the better it is for them.
I have had three with not the best stifles in the world and they all improved with exercise. One was very old and had arthritis, he needed previcox along with exercise, but the exercise in moderation was a big help in keeping him limber (he was not a mini but a medium pony).
I am also interested in hearing others stifles stories and suggestions.
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I forgot to say it breaks my heart too, MajorClem. I am the fourth generation to live in our house and I feel sort of pushed out. We have those million dollar homes here, also. Its awful to feel like you don't fit in in your own hometown anymore
Our fire dept is going non stop! They will need to go!full time soon.
Our fire dept is going non stop! They will need to go!full time soon.
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