I don't know if you or the pair post would be interested...but I've
developed a technique of working with a pair
as a pair --astride one horse with the other horse in the normal pair
position. We do hazard practice varying
the task of each horse as inside then outside horse. We desensitize to
practically EVERY driving situation. We communicate and bond like no
driving pair can. Would anyone on the list be interested in the steps
it takes to accomplish
a "tuned in" pair?
It took the form of an article for our local Whips magazine and our
Ocala newspaper. I'd be happy to share if you think it might help
others. (pictures in next email) Let me know. Thanks for taking the
time to consider this option. Judi, Ocala, FL
On Monday, April 10, 2006, at 02:49 PM, <dawnmeto@xxxxxxxx> wrote:
New horses in a pair.
Thanks Hardy for your insight to driving pairs. For years all the local
folks were telling me to completely school both horses single before you
put them together in a pair.
I did that with my first pair, but I have met a couple of horseman that
feel that a green horse would be happier and more confident with another
horse at his side.
I started my first pair in 1999, so am not an expert my any means. I love
the challenge that a multiple brings to my driving skills and of course we
are always learning.
There was some talk on the list on starting a green horse or horses in a
pair. Let me throw out some ideas that might help that process go
better.
I found that I could ride one horse and pony ( lead ) the other and expose
them to tons of new sights and sounds in a safe way. It gives them a
chance to buddy up while we are exploring. I mean going to town and
riding everywhere, going on the trails to adapt to water, hills and other
horse, people and bike traffic. Of course riding on the roads too. They
are much more content and braver together.
Doc Hammill ( www.dochammill.com ) and Steve Wood
( www.wildwoodsleighandcarriage.com ) are two men that I had the privilege
of working with recently . They are extremely good at reading a horse and
have studied this form of communication. We all need to be constantly
learning this. Both are kind, gentle, but firm extremely patient and very
consistent in their directions to horses.
Jockey stick and rump rope. I learned this from Doc Hammill. In ground
driving a pair he showed me how to connect them at the collars or breast
collar. The next thing that he did was to use a wooden pole that had
heavy snaps on each end. These snapped to the halters of each horse.
I just measured from the center of the single trees to get a measurement.
This pole will keep them from messing with each other heads and keep that
from starting that bad habit. It is hard for them to lean in or out too.
Another thing that we did was to use a long ( 22 feet for light horses )
soft rope. I attached it to the saddle pad area on the outside of one of
the horses at the elbow area. I fed the rope through the breeching
hangers on both sides of that horse and then through the other horse’s
breeching hangers. Finally attaching it on the saddle straps near the
elbow of the horse. It doesn’t have to be real snug. This will prevent
the horses from turning their rumps out and looking at each other.
We ground drove the horses with these aids on and we even attached them to
a vehicle and drove them with this equipment on. I asked him how long
would he use the jockey pole. He said, “ A long time.”
Here’s another idea that I haven’t had a chance to put into practice: He
attaches long
( 4-5 inch ) double ended snaps and a large ring on the end to the rein
terrets. He feeds the reins through that ring. He feels that this gives a
more comfortable feel for the horses with the reins.
Steve Wood drives Morgans and trains other drivers and driving horses.
One of the things that he always does when driving a green horse in a
pair. He attaches a long enough lead rope to the halter of that green
horse. He can hold that too while he is driving the pair. If needed he
can communicate with that horse and not interfere with the other horse.
Steve’s one, three, five method is a way to read the horses. He is very
adamant about standing and stopping. But before he walks off with any
green horse, he asks that horse(s) to take one step and whoa. He waits
and watches the horse. If the horse is relaxed and calm, after a minute
or two he will ask for three steps. He watches the horse. He will stand
until the horse is ready to listen and is calm. He will ask the horse to
take 5 steps and stand. If the horse is ready and calm, then they
continue. If he feels that the horse needs a person near him to calm
down, he has his assistant take the lines and Steve gets down there with
the horse. He feels that the person that knows that horse best and has a
bond with him is going to be the person that will be the best leader for
that horse.
Hope that helps. Theresa Burns Mineral Point, WI www.uwplatt.edu/~burnsth
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