[drivingpairs] driving pairs vs singles
- From: "Helen G. Roeder" <sunshinefarm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: "Pairs List" <drivingpairs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 11 Dec 2006 08:47:40 -0600
After reading several posts regarding driving pairs vs driving single, I
remembered we have some awesome pair driving Articles on our web site, written
by an awesome pair driver. Driving figure eights comes to mind as a means of
teaching horses (in a pair) to bend.
I found that teaching a horse to bend when he's between shafts, inhibits the
horse. Of course, one of those new-fangled marathon shafts that only come up
to the harness saddle, makes it easier for the horse to bend. But then, you
have to put on special 'armament' to keep from making the horse sore in the rib
area.
You can also teach a horse from the ground or mounted, how to bend when asked.
I have found once the horse learns the cue (I use the word 'bend') he will
actually bend on cue in a turn, if asked (reminded).
I used to have a fellow come and work with my horses. As a matter of routine,
he would bend the horse from the ground, by wrapping the lead rope around the
horse's rear and gently pulling him in a circle. (this is also an excellent
way to teach a colt to follow the lead) He'd do it several times to each side.
Then when he'd mount the horse, he'd again 'pracitce' the bends by gently
pulling the horse's nose over to his foot in the stirrup.....several times to
each side. It not only teaches the horse how to bend, it also gives the horse
some good stretches before he begins to work.
A series of good warm-up exercises before getting into the real work, is very
helpful. Just MHO.
Helen
Whitesboro, Texas
home of El Hasa Sport Ponies
(the Little Lions of the desert)
www.drivingpairs.com
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