We go driving...
Posted: Sunday 25 March, 2007
I've had such a nice weekend (and it's not over yet!). Claire and I took Smokey driving yesterday. It was quite hard work for him - uphill in trot with the gig and two (lightweight) passengers - but he rose to the task. He CAN move when he wants (see him in the field!) but I think his preferred working gait is trot. When he settles into a rhythm, he feels like he could go forever with very little effort.
Claire took some video from the backstep. Note the modern handheld camera techniques - Oscar next year.
I just wish some motorists would have a bit more patience and pass us a BIT wider. A few yesterday couldn't have been more than 6" from the hubs. I was considering strapping a large carving knife to the hub - a la Boudiccea - to see if that deterred them!! Alternatively, I think I'll get one of those things that cyclists get to encourage motorists to pass wider. Probably easier on the insurance!
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Comments
Wanda
Hi Rosemary;
I LOVE IT!!!! You sound like you are having a ball! Smokey seems to be responding to your hands very well. Tell Claire thank you for filming it. My whole family has watched it and the one of Smokey meeting his pasture friends.
How is the garden doing? We are just now plowing up the garden spots. Getting ready to plant peas April 12-15.
Keep up the movies and keep up the laughing!
Have fun, stay happy and healthy!
Oh by the way, the scenery in your pictures reminds me of Oregon's Willamette Valley.
Wanda
I forgot to ask how Dan is doing with his freelance work? Hope all is going very well!
Rosemary
Heather,do it. It's great and gives your horse a real job. Just take it in wee steps and make sure each step is secure before moving on. We'd followed the Parelli programme, which was a real help. We did a lot of desensitisation using ropes and stuff, responding to pressure and building a relationship. Smokey's much braver than he used to be - he always had to follow someone / thing - any bum would do! But now he HAS to go in front and he does! I'd recommend lots of long reining - if I'm ever lucky enough to have a youngster, I would do loads - it's such a great education for them and you can see and react to what's going on.
Rosemary
Thanks, Wanda. I thought I'd lost Claire at one point. The garden is coming on slowly. We've had some nice sunny days and I'm on holiday for two weeks from Friday, so I'll get on with "stuff".
Dan's doing fine - bit hyper and looking forward to his final day at the office on 19th April.
A friend of mine is coming to Oregon an a teacher exchange - she's going to Eugene. It would be an awful coincidence if that was anywhere near you...
Robbyn
What fun! Love the video!
Comments are now closed for this post.
Heather
Monday 26 March, 2007 at 12:40am
I want to teach my mare to drive but it would be the blind leading the blind for us. I have the cart and harness so one of these days I just need to it.
What a good boy you have!