[drivingpairs] Re: pairs help

Hello all,

I just joined this list yesterday and hope to learn from the more 
experienced pairs drivers out there.  I have a pair of shetland pony mares 
(mother and daughter).  The older mare is 14 and has been driven extensively 
as a single for the last 8 years (by me) in nearly every situation 
imaginable and had been driven for 3 years as a member of a pair before that 
(by her previous owner).  I have had the daughter since weaning - she is 
eight and has been brought along very slowly as a single and has been 
excellent every step of the way. This past summer was her first in the show 
ring where she was quite successful (breed show but pleasure driving type 
classes) and she has been very calm and reliable.  They have been hitched as 
a pair about 10 times now and have progressed from a short drive inside a 
pasture to 45 minute long cross-country drives around the fields near my 
house.  I have a small 4- wheel pony-sized wagon with a drop pole (?) and 
small front wheels that will go under the bed of the wagon with roller bolts 
underneath.  The harness is a Barb Lee biothane with breast collars.

Unfortunately, we had our first accident this past weekend.  First mistake 
on my part was assuming that they were ready for a pleasure drive at 
Antietam Battlefield.  We went on a 4 mile line drive, with frequent stops 
along the way to listen to a guide.  The leader of the drive started off at 
a good clip and the ponies were trotting along nicely if a little strong 
from the cool air and the quick pace.  We did quite well for about 3 miles 
with some stops and they were starting to be a little easier in my hands.  
They worked quite well together.  We were trotting down a slight downgrade 
on a blacktop road when things went wrong.  Older mare started pulling 
outward, almost leaning on the outside trace on the left side.  Younger mare 
did the same to the right.  That wasn't so bad, but younger mare did a 
little hop and got her back inside leg over the pole and trace.  She gave 
about 3 small bucks, the other mare kept trotting and they got very strong.  
At this point I felt that I needed help - they were getting very strong and 
I shouted to the person next to me (a very experienced driver) to give me 
some help with the reins.  She did and we managed to slow them but not until 
the younger mare fell and slid on her side, feet toward the inside. The 
other mare dragged her about 10 feet until we got her stopped.  The older 
mare never panicked, just kept trotting along like she thought she should.  
Thankfully, both mares were uninjured except for some muscle 
soreness/bruising on the younger the next day.  My harness took the brunt of 
the slide - the keepers on the buckle in trace are nearly gone and the trace 
will have to replaced on that side.  Better it than the pony.  When we 
stopped, the rider jumped out and went to their heads, the downed mare 
jumped up and got her own leg back over the pole but not the trace.  Another 
helper showed up and we got the trace sorted out - I stayed on board holding 
the lines.  We decided to keep them going at a walk with two walkers holding 
leads just in case and they proceeded another mile with no incident back to 
the trailers.
After that long description, here is my question.  What was causing the 
spreading apart of the two to begin with?  The older mare kept drifting 
outward, creating pressure on her inside rein and lack of pressure on her 
outside.  Where exactly should the end of the pole come to?  This pole seems 
a bit long to me - it will begin to pull forward on the breastplates, before 
the breeching comes into play.  I know I made several mistakes - one, this 
was too soon for this long of a drive with company on unfamiliar terrain;  
two, I need more experience with handling a pair- I am having trouble 
keeping consistent contact on both sides of their mouths since they waver 
from inside to outside a bit.  So for a truly green novice, what advice can 
you offer?

Laurie

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