Diary of a carthorse.

[fofo]

Well Stan in training to become a carthorse. And me, total novice, in training to become his driver.

Even if nobody reads this I'm doing it to keep a log. :rolleyes: :o

Today was the second time Stan was long-reined. This time I had the driving bridle and used a roller to thread the reins through. We went round the school several times in walk on both reins and did some figure 8s. Every so often I halted him and made him stand and gave him a treat when he did.

Then we went round in trot at which he became very strong and it was hard to bring him back to walk with voice aids which he usually responds to well when I ride or lunge. At one point he bucked and set off hooning back to the gate of the school but I managed to bring him back to walk again.

He is in a snaffle with full cheeks which is good for steering but not for slowing or stopping so I think I will have to invest in a Liverpool driving bit.

Then I walked him down the track to the gate and back again twice and was hugely happy at this because he doesn't like to leave the yard and often naps when I am riding him to the gate. He was perfect and even walked nice and calmly back up even though I could tell he was itching to power-trot back to his mates.

Excellent exercise for me too!

I am looking for a cheap exercise cart and my hubby says he will buy me it for my birthday. :D :cool:

[fairyfeet]

Great news!! He is being a little star.
A lot of people do drive in snaffles, usually because that is what the horse is used to when being ridden.
However I do recommend the Liverpool driving bit, it does have 6/7 positions for the reins all of varying degrees of control. What you have to remember is that when riding you have more control over the horse as its underneath you, when driving its several feet ahead!
I was always told that you use a stronger bit than needed when driving but on a milder setting if that makes sense.
A bolting horse pulling a cart can cause mahem and injure or damage itself, the driver and any passengers, the cart and the cars and general public around them.
They also terrify themselves with what happens and it takes a lot to stop a terrified horse.
Oh and a little tip when you do start off in the cart, always teach him to walk off not trot off as it won't always be safe to start off in trot. Some get into the habit and its very hard to break.

[BEX101]

sound like he's doing well!

[chescar]

Oh Jane - you both sound like you will make a super team.
Im', now itching to have a go with Troy

[vels mum]

Ah, Ill be watching this thread, sounds like Stan is picking it up quickly, am I right in saying he has driven before???
Ive heard the Liverpool Driving bit being reffered to as very strong on other forums but I have absolutely no idea if it is or not!
Good luck with your progress and keep us updated ;)

[Tiaki]

Think I shall be following trend and doing a Dylan driving diary once I get the gear together :)

xxx

[vels mum]

I wish we had a proper diary section on the forum :(

Although it certainly shouldnt stop us from doing our own diaries. :)

[Tiaki]

The diary sections are good. One forum I use has the diary sections protected so that only long term members (so many posts) can see them.

xxx

[fofo]

That's a good idea. I like following progress of people and their horses.

[daytona]

Ah go Stan. Will look forward to hearing his progress Jane.
Cant wait to see pics of you with him and a cart.

[fofo]

Ah go Stan. Will look forward to hearing his progress Jane.
Cant wait to see pics of you with him and a cart.

and me splattered on the road :pmsl:

Run over by my own horse and cart:rofl:

[fairyfeet]

and me splattered on the road :pmsl:

Run over by my own horse and cart:rofl:

:pmsl: You are supposed to be BEHIND the horse Jane!:pmsl:

[fofo]

3rd day of long-reining.

Today someone was in the school so I long reined him down the track to the gate and back in walk and trot. He was so laid back that next time we went through the gate and up the road. He was like a machine. He never walks with such speed and purpose when I ride him and he often naps and tries to run back to the yard when I ride him. But not in his bondage gear.

I thought lets just go a little way then turn round but no, he wanted to carry on, and way up the road we went passing cars and him striding along like he was late for an appointment.

When we came to a junction I turned him round and he marched smartly all the way back to the yard and up to his stable door where he stopped and stood and waited for me to untack him.

I was astounded and delighted all at the same time. What a versatile little dude! Ride and drive (so much more useful than dressage don't you think :evilgrin:)

[BEX101]

What a star! Mitch is quite nappy when i take him on the roads.

[Poppy and Harmony]

Been fab catching up on this Jane, Stan sounds like he's going to love driving!
Harmony changes into a different pony when shes in harness too, it's an amazing transformation!

[fofo]

Poppy I am looking for an exercise cart now. They are so expensive!

My farrier told me years ago that if I ever drove Stan I would find that he preferred it to being ridden.

[My Crazy Clan]

aaaaaaaaah brilliant news, I am very happy for you both :D

[Poppy and Harmony]

They are ridiculous arn't they!
Both of mine cost over £200, and that was second hand

[daytona]

3rd day of long-reining.

But not in his bondage gear.



Sounds like our Stan has a kinky secret :cheekywink::evilgrin::lol:

Glad hes enjoying it Jane and by sounds of it you are too.
I'll keep my ear to the ground see if anyone selling a cart around here.

[eeek]

Clever Stan!

A lot of horses change when they're between the shafts. My first pony was a demon under saddle but as soon as you put her in a cart she was in her element. She had been brought up as a driving pony and never seemed to see the point of being ridden.

Vinny adores driving too and is much more professional when he's in the sulky.

[fofo]

Video for your delectation in vid section. :pmsl:

[fofo]

No progress to report this week. I have been back at work. Looking for a cart atm.

[fofo]

Latest news. We long-reined out this week. Stan was terrffied by a Landrover with big rattling trailer as he couldn't see it properely with his blinkers on and he about-turned and trotted at ever increasing speed back the way we had come. Driver of LR very amused by my rapidly escalating acceleration behind Stan. Anyhow I got him back to walk and we did the rest of the jouney unscathed. Calves pretty stiff the next day:o

I have a bid on a cart on ebay. Fingers crossed. If we ever get one we may just be in the offing to break the land speed record!

[fofo]

We got our cart last weekend and the driving bit arrived today. I went for a military bit rather than Liverpool as it stops grabbing of the bit.

I put the driving bridle on Stan to fit the bit properly and because the bit was too low down the blinkers went right over his eyes and he was barging around the stable and couldn't see properly. He nearly squished me. When I finally got the bit adjusted properly the blinkers moved back and he was fine then.

Next step hitching the horse to the cart. :confused: :scared: :eek:

[daytona]

Woo Hooo cant wait to see him in his cart. :D

[fofo]

Video of long-reining today. We really don't know what we are doing :o

YouTube - driving intro 013.avi

[Horse Mad Mum]

I think he will love it !!! HMM X

[carn77]

brilliant thread i will enjoy reading more as you do more
He looked like he went up to the trap as if saying come on then fit it lets get cracking!
This is really inspiring me to get my little one broken to harness...think this weekend i will start on long reining him in the school getting voice commands in place and start my own diary to ask for help along the way