[drivingpairs] Weekend Clinic

  Larry Poulin is up to visit our drving club this weekend.  He gave 
lessons Saturday and Sunday, with more lessons today.  We went both Sat. 
and Sun, hauling in.  We split the Team, using them as Pairs for two 
lessons, then did the Team of 4 on Sunday.  He helped husband with some 
new developments, and gave us new options.
  We had not worked horses  much as Pairs since last year, so they 
pulled some different tricks than they had tried before.  Horses hate 
change, like their old routines.
  Leaders were shocked to have to deal with WEIGHT of vehicle!!  NOT our 
job!  This is a VERY light carriage, but they used it as their excuse to 
be silly.  Wheelers said there is not anyone OUT FRONT!  Who will show 
us the way?  What a bunch of sillies!  This was first obvious in our 
home practices, and some if it got fixed, but there were some other 
things going on as well.  Horses were also fit enough to go for the 
longer lessons at trot speeds, not pooped out.
  Husband and Larry had a good time driving around,  changing seats, 
both driving.  I did some rein changes for them.   Larry did some 
changing of rein location on the bits, other rein changes, some whip 
tapping on the young horse and the lazy horse..  Interesting to watch 
horses respond or not, then change again.  Sometimes it took a bit of 
time for adjustment to affect the change desired.  Much improvement in 
several places, horses went better.
  After our lessons, we put the Team together and went out for a drive 
thru of some of the hazards on the grounds.  Horses did nicely, bending, 
listening, as we tried various options of the gates.  Water hazard was 
much improved after the first go.  Leader was not trying to help!  Water 
was fairly deep, nice and opaque after a couple water crossings.  He 
likes clear water, so this was good practice on dirty water.  We grooms 
stood on the SEATS!  Water over the back step and platform of marathon 
carriage.  Bridges were very loud with all those hooves , but no one 
looked twice at them before going on.  Everything was quiet, relaxed, 
repeated hazards for best results.  Good finish to the day.
  Rained on Sunday morning but we had afternoon lessons, much warmer, 
some sun showing too. When driven as the Team on Sunday lesson,  horses 
were much better, comfortable in their old places.  Very soft, 
flexible.  Again, Larry and husband rode together, changed seats back 
and forth as drivers.  Lot of discussion of our harness setup, rein 
handling, horse responses.
  We got the Leader Pair out again for the demo that Larry did for 
auditors.  He discussed rein handling, pole length, changes he would do. 
 Pair rein adjustmens, hole measuring, Achenbach reins.   Shortening 
pole for Pair was one big recommendation, since we were using the Team 
pole with crab sticking out pretty far.  He pointed out that crab would 
be catching Pair horse nose when he bent correctly on the outside.  He 
also demonstrated a crossed over rein handling method, to allow better 
whip use on the left side horse hip.  Prevented interfering with the 
other rein and hand steadying the horse in front of driver.  Allowed 
very handy, accurate positioning of whip aid.
  A very nice clinic, enjoyable weekend.  Nice to see Larry again, great 
tips, good help.  He remembered us from Ohio Equine Affair, two years ago.

Kathy Robertson

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