Your Drive Day

[Cayuse]

He IS a handsome fella. I can see him all braided up like a draft mini. I like the name. Do you think he will live up to the old saying "Hotter than a two dollar pistol"?

His feet look pretty good!

I wonder what he is thinking, now that his life is all changed around.

 

[Cayuse]

Well, you can put me down for somewhere around 15 minutes of driving with Peanut. It was not a good day,lol.

Well now that is silly, I posted the hours on the wrong thread. That's how its been today. I drove Peanut and he was bad. Just bad from the get go. Back to biting and being miserable while being harnessed and hitched (so bad he got the over check hooked on the shafts, he couldn't do it again it he tried) and then he had two hissy fits ending in a buck. My husband was driving for that little bit of excitement.

This second issue, the bucking hissys, seemed to stem from the new holdback snaps. The!end of the holdbacks were longer and when the breeching engaged, they touched his flank. We fixed that by removing the snaps and hubby had a good spin with him so then I took over and he was back to his old self.

Anyway, I hope that solved part of the!problem. He is very fussy as to how he wants his harness.

As far as the biting goes, I think it was just a bad day.

We quit while we were ahead. Or was it surrendering???? Maybe it was a truce

 

[MajorClementine]

Isn't it funny how some, like Peanut, want their harness just so. And others don't seem to care? And to get the overcheck hooked on a shaft...that's a pretty good trick. He must have been wiggling all over the place. Sorry it was such a rough day driving. We've had those days here too. My stubborn side wants to force myself and the horse to work through them but knowing my short tempered side I often decide to stop before one of us loses our minds.

Dad worked with the new guy, Pistol, out in Illinois today. He's got him walking on a lead and tolerating minimal physical contact. The fact that he's learned to lead in a day gives me hope that once he trusts us he'll be a willing learner.

Watched our local parade today and was bummed not to be a part of it. But I just didn't spend the time needed with Clementine this year to feel safe putting her in the parade. She can be a bit naughty when not worked on a regular basis. I had to be satisfied with watching the parade. Which wasn't bad because we have a killer local bagpipe band (group? pipeband?) and I love hearing and watching them.

 

[Cayuse]

Yeah, he did the over check trick REAL slick. And then he was stuck. He had the whole mess so tight I had to unbuckle the overcheck at the bridle to get him loose. The holdback issue was my fault, though. The snaps gave it some extra length and the tail end was brushing his flanks. Totally my fault. This is why he has been such a good horse to learn with. He is a pretty good egg, but does not tolerated things that are wrong and will let you know you better fix it. He is both a blessing and a challenge!

He is in a much better frame of mind today in general. Back to himself on the ground. It is going to rain any minute now so I won't drive until tomorrow.

Pistol sounds like he is making progress and has some good sense. Lots of changes for him to adjust to and it seems like he is taking it all in stride. How are you going to!get him away from your dad ?

My husband loves Bagpipes, too.

 

[MajorClementine]

I see that a random "!" snuck it's way into that last sentence

And to answer your question I have no idea... I'm guessing when it comes time for driving training I'll be on the hook for that.

Clementine is my personality in horse form so my husband says I get a taste of what it's like trying to deal with me on a daily basis. I'd argue with him but I can see too much truth in his observation...

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Talked to Bubba's owner today and she said I can try him out in mid October. They are getting ready to use him for a few weeks with their youngster, and they will call me when I can "borrow" him to see whether he will drive. I think this will work out well for me. If he doesn't work for driving, he can go back to them and I won't have any guilt. Need to get the dentist scheduled!

 

[Cayuse]

Mid-October will be here before you know it. The summer went by in a blink.

I did not get to drive Peanut at any shows, or even show him this year which was my goal for this summer, but we had a good, fun year showing Cappy. And I have been having a good time logging my driving hours here with both of them.

I drove Peanut today and he was back to his old self. No shenanigans.

Did anyone go driving over the long weekend?

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I wondered about your shows. Glad Peanut is behaving himself again.

I've been busy in the mornings so haven't driven and it's too hot later. But a cool spell is on the way so I'm hoping to get driving again. This little contest has really been a good motivator for me.

 

[Cayuse]

We went to a lot of shows, I think around twelve between Cappy and my welsh pony. Cappy did hi!self proud in the trail/obstacle in hand classes and my husband won a couple of nice ribbons in Liberty with him. He was over the moon with that. Me too!

We have had very cool weather here, the horses are getting fuzzy. It seems like two weeks early for the fuzzies to start.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

We went to a lot of shows, I think around twelve between Cappy and my welsh pony. Cappy did hi!self proud in the trail/obstacle in hand classes and my husband won a couple of nice ribbons in Liberty with him. He was over the moon with that. Me too!

We have had very cool weather here, the horses are getting fuzzy. It seems like two weeks early for the fuzzies to start.

Congratulations on the wins!

Mine are usually much fuzzier by now. Usually I have to clip in August, but this year I didn't. He is yakking up now, but still not too bad.

 

[MajorClementine]

I love that they are going to let you try out Bubba. That's such a great thing for the buyer AND the seller to be sure it's a good fit. Also, if your weather is anything like ours October is great driving weather (unless you count the freak storms that can come in).

This isn't driving related but I fell like all of you can relate. We had to put my husband's big percheron/appendix mare down this morning. She foundered this spring (17 years on pasture without a problem) and that founder turned into fatal sinker syndrome. She was the best riding horse we've ever owned. Packed anyone/anything/anywhere. Nothing like seeing your 6' 2" mountain of a husband sobbing as he loads his riding companion in the trailer for that final trip to the vet. But it did have to be done. She hurt to bad to even eat anymore and we had lost all hope for recovery to being pain free at some point. I cut her tail after so I can braid hubby a hatband so she can go with him on rides in the future.

 

[jeanniecogan]

im so sorry about your horse. it's about the hardest thing to do, putting a member of your family down. very sorry.

 

[Cayuse]

Oh, I am so sorry for your loss. I have seen my husband in similar situations and those memories are hard ones. We had a old paint mare that we adopted from the SPCA, she was a wreck but caring and rehabbing her got my husband through a significant health crisis. When we lost her 18 months later, he was devastated. He still can't talk about his "Missy" without tearing up and its been six years. I hope that with time, the pain of today fades and that you both can remember your mare in happier times.

 

[Cayuse]

MajorClem how is Pistol doing?

 

[MajorClementine]

Pistol is kinda rocking it. I'm amazed at how quickly he comes around to things after being left alone for 8 years. They worked with him leading by each foot yesterday and loading and unloading on a barge (yup, a river barge) and the horse trailer. He's wary of people he doesn't know however so getting him used to people in general will take some time but his one on one interactions are really making a lot of progress.

We went camping with family this weekend so no driving but I do have the day off tomorrow so I'm hoping to get some ground driving in using the cones again.

 

[Cayuse]

Pistol's story makes me ?

 

[MajorClementine]

GAH!!! I just realized that, not sure if it was dad's mistake or the harness shop, but they didn't get the D rings on the breast collar to attach the yoke strap for pairs! I'm unsure if dad didn't communicate that I wanted them or if they forgot to put them down. So that's gunna cost me a little to get a new one. I've decided to go with euro collars... hope I like them.

So if anyone is interested in buying a comfy fit deep V breastcollar with black leather padding and patent leather finish message me. I now have one (less than a year old) for sale. mini size C

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Lovely morning for a drive. Breezy and the sunflowers are peaked. Monarchs migrating. Coveys of quail. When I got home, I put my sulky harness in a tub of soapy water. It's been a good year since I cleaned it. Then I'll oil it well. I keep the crupper clean and oiled, but the rest is neglected. Also noticed a noise in the sulky wheels, and Jim said a bearing is bad. Time for some maintenance!

 

[Cayuse]

Peanut had his teeth worked on this week, what a mess. He was up to date on his dentals so I cant blame myself, but I do anyway. He is going to need more work done but seems very comfortable now. I ground drove him today and he was happy with it all, no fussing with his mouth, so I was comforted by that.

I was going to hitch him but the hubby got a call to the FD and he flew out of here with all the bells and whistles blaring, lol.

I see Marsha and Jeannie have "lost their bearings" ☺ Who will be next? These things come in threes...

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Peanut had his teeth worked on this week, what a mess. He was up to date on his dentals so I cant blame myself, but I do anyway. He is going to need more work done but seems very comfortable now. I ground drove him today and he was happy with it all, no fussing with his mouth, so I was comforted by that.

I was going to hitch him but the hubby got a call to the FD and he flew out of here with all the bells and whistles blaring, lol.

I see Marsha and Jeannie have "lost their bearings" ☺ Who will be next? These things come in threes...

When I was taking mine to a vet for dental work, I felt I was doing right by them. I actually hauled my horses 3 hours one way to a vet who was supposed to be good with miniatures. But when I discovered an equine dentist and she found sharp points in the back, I felt badly.