[drivingpairs] pairs help

Thanks, Hardy, for your reply and advice.  I do think I need to clear up a 
few items on my part.  Previous to this drive, this pony pair had worked 
very well together, going straight, and very relaxed.  I never would have 
taken them on the drive otherwise.  Both do well as singles - in fact, the 
pony who got her leg over the pole is very laid back.   Thinking back over 
the incident for a few days now makes me think that I was so foolish in 
taking them out in company so soon.  The pace was very quick with no walking 
periods.  (We were told ahead of time that the drive would be at a leisurely 
pace on mostly grass - instead it was at a horse's working trot all on 
blacktop).  I should have had the foresight to walk them when I wanted and 
not to stay with the drive.  The few steps that we did walk, the ponies 
became very relaxed.    You are right about the brakes - both had breeching 
but the brakes are not working on this little wagon - again a mistake on my 
part to take them on such a long drive without the brakes.  Hindsight is so 
accurate :)  As for underestimating my ponies because of their size, I can 
tell you that, in this case, this was not the problem.   I fully understand 
the strength of these ponies.  They are treated always as full-size horses 
would be (I have both in my barn) and are very well-behaved because of it.   
In this case, I think I overtaxed them - I asked too much and paid for my 
own stupidity.    Their pulling at the beginning should have alerted me that 
this was too much too soon for these ponies who try their best to please me. 
  You're right about the pairs training for me as well.  I have been taking 
some lessons from a good dressage person, but she admits she doesn't know 
pairs well and I have only worked with singles with her.  (I have also been 
reading your articles, Hardy!)  At any rate, you are right - I need help 
with pairs driving - it is so different from a single in so many ways.   
Don't worry, Hardy, I don't scare away easily.  I just want to correct my 
mistakes and learn.  And when I do get back to pair driving, it will be 
walking straight lines for a long while!  I won't be driving as a pair for 
awhile now anyway, so I can ask questions here in the meantime.  Back to 
singles work until I can get the harness repaired (the slide down the road 
removed a few keepers and wore the trace down to where it needs to be 
replaced - saved the pony's skin).  So, with that, here's another question:

One thing I have noticed that is quite different when driving these ponies 
as a pair instead of single is that the response seems much more elastic.  I 
can't describe it any other way - what is usually an instant response as a 
single -  turning or stopping -  seems to be delayed or "stretchy" with the 
pair.  These ponies are very responsive to voice and hand, so this surprises 
me.  There also seems to be a lot of play - a major change in length of rein 
when going down hill as opposed to flat.   Is this a normal feeling with a 
pair?

Thanks for answering these pair-newby questions.  I will seek out a good 
pairs instructor (Dana - are you here?)

Laurie

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