[drivingpairs] Re: Adam, the horse with too much giddyup
- From: Dynasorz@xxxxxxx
- To: drivingpairs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 16 May 2006 13:38:47 EDT
In a message dated 5/15/2006 4:08:17 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
sunshinefarm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
<<I'm certainly not an expert, but I don't believe in artificial means to
train horses, especially driving horses. >>
I've pondered how to respond to this because I'm guessing even a halter and
lead rope might seem artificial to a horse. So, I'm gonna chalk it up to my
never having had much luck being good at dressage (my last German dressage
teacher told me "You maaaake yur harse look TERRRRRIBBBBLLE!" --well, hell,
that
was $75 wasted!!!) So, the best I can do is to find what is practical and
works for me that also keeps the horse happy. I'm not opposed to
"artificial" as long as it works and the horse doesn't want to turn upside
down. I try
to buy horses who are built to go on the bit naturally, and that way I don't
have to work too hard and they make me look good. No offence intended to
Helen, here, who I'm certain would thump my arse in the dressage arena.
<<Adam sounds like he may need some special attention that can be worked out
over time. Maybe the other horses is allowing him to move forward so he
can do all the pulling. Do you think that could be a possibility? >>
Absolutely, I think that is part of the equation.
<<Sometimes there seems to be that problem with a pair. See if getting
Ansel to move on up with Adam, doesn't solve the problem with Adam. Does Adam
understand the command you use for 'walk'? >>
Yes. Worked with him an hour on the meadowbrook Sat. and found him to be
very attentive and responsive to voice and hands. He is more sensitive than
Ansel, who is a bit of a lunk. I have a special place in my heart for lunks
though, as I have two of those types who make my farm payment every month.
Might
need to trade Adam for another lunk if he doesn't decide to just tone in down a
half a notch.
<< I'd try some individual attention with him before I'd go to using some
mechanical means. Then when he goes as you want him to, praise the heck out
of him, and rub his butt with the whip as you would do with your hand, could
you reach him. When a horse is ridden, it's so easy to put your hand on
them to give the a pat to let them know they did good. In driving, we can't
very well do that. I use the whip for that all the time. It's an extension
of your arm. >>
I think that's a really good thing. But is it artificial? (JUST KIDDING!!)
<<By all means, keep trying to find the right combination for Adam and keep
us posted.>>
Will do. Hope you don't mind my attempts at humor here. I am and forever
always will be a failed dressage queen....
;-)
Carla
Walland, TN
_www.echobrookefarm.com_ (http://www.echobrookefarm.com)
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