[drivingpairs] Re: unhappy single

Thanks good people, for your advice.
> Stephanie, It sounds to me like he is just a little barn sour/herd bound. 
> Just keep driving him and you should get him over it! Anne
You're probably right.  When I start having problems with a horse my first
thought is that he might be in pain.  Of course, knowing Flygill, the idea of
actually having to do some work may well cause him pain.

Al wrote:
> I now work these pair much more as singles driving and a far amount under
> saddle. Although not perfect they certainly do listen and thnik twice about
> wanting to stay at home.
OK, so that was probably my first mistake right there.  Once I started driving
the pair, I mostly stopped driving them as singles.  They were both good singles
and there were so many things to learn with the pair that I just put all my time
there except for a little bit of fun with the cones.

> The only caution I would have is to be certain his actions are not out of
> uncertainty.  If he is reacting out of fear -- fear of being alone; fear of
> not finding my way home; fear of no supper -- then deal with the fear first.
Now this is where I have a lot of trouble - distinguishing fear from laziness. 
In thinking about this, I see that I need to ride him out alone.  I essentially 
never do this, he's our "beginner" horse under saddle, and as such I tend to 
take him out with his "beginner" and at least one other horse with me on it. 
Also when we ride, we are not on the road.  Under saddle he tends to be slow, 
but certainly not any of the problems I described in harness.  Good point!

> Plan each activity with a specific goal and make sure it is well diciplined.
> Don't ask for to much at one time. BE CONSISTANT.
Always terrific advice.  I do always have a goal, but for sure I'm not as 
consistent as I could be.

Pat wrote:
  Keep driving him and when you go back to pairs again don't
> let the mare do all the work make him pull his share.
Oh believe me you are so right, I really really try to make him do his share.  
I 
just wish I were more successful!  Our entire drive is punctuated by, "Flygill, 
walk on! Flygill, trrrot!"  Smack!  Actually it's not all his fault.  He is the 
shorter in height and shorter strided.  In large part she doesn't "let" him 
pull, and I really hate to keep holding her back because I really prize a good 
walk.  He works very well in breeching and at the end of a longer drive when 
she's finally starting to feel a little tired after pulling the whole thing by 
herself.  My ultimate solution (I hope) to this pairs problem, is out there in 
her belly.  In 6 weeks I'm praying for a little replica of her to hit the 
ground 
- good work ethic, plenty of go, and a sensible brain, and in a few years 
Flygill can go back to driving single forever :)
Thanks again; it's wonderful to have lots of experience and other viewpoints 
right in your inbox!
Stephanie
Blasted Rock Farm Icelandics





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