[drivingpairs] Re: New to pairs driving

HI everyone,
I lurk with great interest on this list.
It would seem to me, and I could always be wrong, that the younger horse in
the pair had just been hitched?  It would seem unreasonable that this less
trained, probably not as fit individual would able to do the work as well as
the older, experienced horse.  It can take a lot of conditioning and
developing to really create a work ethic in some horses.  This, of course,
is outside the relationship dynamics.
I'm involved right now with a pair that has a less than willing individual.
:o)  He's kind, well enough trained, just a laid back sort of a guy.  The
plan, and you heard it here Carla, is to do some serious single work on him
and teach him that he has a job to do.  Most times, when you get a horse
really fit and if you've been consistent in demanding the horse stay in the
bridle and come from behind, they learn that is what is expected.  They also
learn to be really responsive to forward aids.  In a single or pair, if the
horse only half responds to the forward aids, you're half in charge and you
get half a response.  You end up nitpicking or getting tuned out.
Some time ago, I worked with a Standardbred who was comfortable with driving
but uneducated.  The plan with him was to insist that he walk down the road
with energy, not hang back.  It took 6 months of hard work on his owners
part, but she was a trooper and put a real walk on her horse.  when he
learned to be forward, that gave us the tools to deal with his mixing gaits
on the down hill.  Sound training principles never change no matter what the
job.
Any and all comments appreciated.
Anne

Anne Councill * Driving in Birch Hollow * Stewartstown, PA * 717.880.3840





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