[drivingpairs] Halfway Thru Summer

We have just been incredibly busy this season.  We
have gotten in some driving, but not much.  Got one
mare bred, have to check her next week to see if she
caught.
She brought home some bug, so about 4 horses have
traded a horrible cough back and forth.  They just
can't catch their breath if you work them at a trot. 
Husband did make them drive at a walk, seemed to get
the phlem out of their airways.  They weren't
exercising them selves, getting any deep breathing
done.  We are waiting for the other three to start
coughing soon!

We helped out at Metamora CDE in mid-June. 
Interesting being on the other side of the clipboard! 
Weather was wonderful, cool, sunny, breezy.  Couldn't
have ordered better.

We purchased a carriage at Martins May sale, a 3/4
size roof seat break.  It is made by Quimby of Newark
NJ.  Not a maker we had ever heard of, but a nice
vehicle.  It is a natural stain finish, kind of soft
golden.  Looks nice behind the Bays.  It is also
lightweight, so even with a full load, it won't be too
heavy for long drives.   Husband has been pretty busy
fixing it up.  He is going for conservation, rather
than restoration.  Making it solid and usable.  He
thinks it was done over maybe 40-50 years ago, with
vehicle being about 100+ years old.  He got the wheels
checked over and new channel and rubber.  Replaced the
bushings in leaf springs, now they aren't flat!  Had
to take off the rear axle and put it on frontwards,
get a new oil cap made.  Collinges hubs worked great
once all the grease was cleaned out and replaced with
oil.  Those wheels will spin for a long time with only
one turn.  New metal brake shoes.  Carriage has a
unique wooden skeleton.  Was original to vehicle, like
furniture!  Never saw anything like it, fitted and
joined.  We talked and decided to add a metal skeleton
for safety, which husband made.  There were a couple
of long cracks in the side panels, where wood had
dried and changed over the years.  The metal will hold
everything together not allow any more splitting or
wood pulling against itself.  Made in the antique
style, looks old too.  He made a new pole, lots of
shaping to the end fitting into the 5th wheel.  He put
a nice pole hook on the end, and plans to paint all
the metal black.  It is iron, so will be the best
protection for it.  The original, solid lead bars have
a huge, open U-shape to hang from the pole hook.  No
chance of them hanging up on forward!

It is really cool to be sitting so high up.  I may
pack kleenex for nosebleeds!!  We have driven it
around the 
barn and ring a little.  Very cushy, lots of room. 
Still have to get cushions recovered.  We had some old
lamps that look pretty nice, saved a bit of money
there.

Fields look good with all the rain, fat horses, just
tired of mowing.  We are looking forward to a sporting
day of Traditional Driving in Sept.  Hope your summers
are going well too.

Kathy Robertson


        
                
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