[drivingpairs] Re: Hey all, can you explain something for me???

Beverly,

Perhaps there is something lacking in these ponies training? I'm sure that
you will work thriugh the pulling problem.

The leaning is "sort of" another matter, although that will also have an
effect on their ability to understand your communication.

For starters, the ponies need to be going straight. The attachment points on
the neck yoke must be the same distance apart as the distance between the
centers of the single trees. This will put them both in a straight line
beside the pole. By the way, the center of the single tree must be far
enough from the pole so that the ponies have enough room. If you are using
pole straps rather than a neck yoke, they need to be long enough to not pull
the ponies into the pole. If you are using a drop pole, you must use a neck
yoke rather than pole straps or chains, as they will let the pole down, and
pull the ponies into the pole.

The German Equestrian book on driving has an excellent section on pair
reins. I can't possibly tell it all here. In a nutshell, the straight rein
ALWAYS goes on the outside (the inside being the pole side, not the hay side
<G>). The crossover rein is ALWAYS longer by several inches than the
straight rein. Most "English reins" that I've seen have way too few holes
for adjustment. They also have other shortcomings, but I won't get into that
here. If you have correct Auchenbach reins, the adjustment holes should be
good. Where they are buckled right now may not be correct, however. Start
out with both crossover reins in the center hole. Adjust from there. If the
crossover reins are too short, and pulling the ponies in, move them forward
a notch at a time until the ponies are going straight.

Now it gets "really" fun! If one pony is trying to pull ahead, you have to
adjust the reins to get them to go even with each other. No matter what
adjustment needs to be made, you always move one crossover rein forward the
same number of notches as you move the other one back. If you just lay them
out on the floor (and hold them down in some way), you'll see how all these
adjustments work.

One way to see how all this pair rein business works is to make a "pairs"
reinboard. Put the pulleys for each "horse" the same distance apart as the
sides of the bit. Put the "bits" the same distance apart as the horses would
be. The ideal way to try this out would be fastened to something solid at
the correct height and distance from the seat of your vehicle. Just for fun,
get the reins adjusted to your satisfaction, then move to the other side of
the seat (assuming a 2 seater). How much difference does it make in the
adjustment?

Have fun!!!

Don Hayes     Keep driving!


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