[drivingpairs] Re: slacking off
- From: "Barbara Kurtz" <winddancefrm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <drivingpairs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 6 Oct 2006 17:57:11 -0400
Oooh, I have really been enjoying this thread... I have just paired a
mother and son. I ground drove them in a recent clinic with Andy Marcoux
and he saw right away that my gelding was going to be purely happy to go
along for the ride. But he also cautioned me to watch how forward my little
mare is. In our case, she is extremely forward and almost too willing to
walk off. He suggested I would use a half halt on her from the start...not
just concentrating solely on my slower gelding and using the whip on him.
Both issues needed addressed.
I am a complete newby with pairs. I have been driving my gelding of
this pair for six years. He is very forward and a hard worker out on his
own, but he has to have company(a bit of a baby). Funny, he, too attaches
to any equine in our group that is close to him. I was delighted with how
relaxed he was with his mother by his side...he seemed very confident having
her with him. My little mare is the type that no matter what we ask of her
she seems to catch on as if she has been there and knows what we want. She
has been driving for a while, but hasn't been out as much as her son. She
stays home to give little kids lessons...but not for long.
I might add...I am looking for a pair vehicle. My hope is to eventually
do combine driving. My pony pair is in the 43"/44" range. I would also
like to ask where I would find information about pole length/wagon
weight,length for my size ponies. Thank you.
Barbara in Ohio
Wind Dance Ponies
winddancefrm@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sit in the driver's seat, decide where you want to go and let the
distractions of life pass you by while you stay focused on your intended
destination, enjoying the journey! ~Barbara & Nicholas Kurtz
>
>
>
> Is it ever! The Morgan pair we drive now is typical of this problem. The
> gelding seems to be just along to enjoy the scenery. mare does most of the
> work. We've learned to keep an eye on the traces and his breast collar.
> When they get floppy, either calling his name or touching him on the flank
> with the whip gets him pulling again for a while. This is not a temporary
> thing. It's been going on for several years and it's just something we've
> learned to live with. Both horses are fit, the same size and within years
> of each other in age. They get along well in harness, and although not
> stalled together, he becomes extremely dependant on her presence when we
> take them off together, on a trip. When he travels alone, he falls in
> love
> with the first equine he sees. Lord knows what he'd do if he gets near a
> llama. When competing alone, he's strong and willing.
> If anyone on this list has any ideas on how to make him do his part
> (without
> using a cattle prod)
> while paired I'd be happy to hear them.
> The problem has it's plus side. Hardy wrote an excellent series on
> driving
> pairs a little while back and he mentioned the best way to get a good bend
> is to allow the inside horse to be the aggressor and the outside horse to
> coast. In our case with the mare inside, the gelding coasts. With the
> gelding on the inside, a touch with the whip to him and an "easy" to the
> mare gets us a pretty good bend.
> Bob T
>
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