Posted: Thursday 8 March, 2007
Now that I've got Smokey at home (or near enough), we had to bring his gig down. We could have put it in a horse trailer, but we, ie Claire and I, decided to drive him home. Now, this was a kind of openended decision because we'd never had him on the road before, so we'd never dealt with sloping surfaces. So for the first time, Smokey would be expected to provide the brakes for the gig on downhill slopes, by taking the weight on the breeching strap of the harness, which runs round his thighs.
For safety's sake, we decided make the journey early Sunday morning. I took Smokey up on Saturday and left him in his box overnight. On Sunday morning, again for safety, we decided to lead him down the sloping road from the stables, to see how he would go. He was brilliant! After about 1/4 mile, we jumped on, Claire driving and me on the backstep, and off we went. Claire was like the Queen, waving elegantly to motorists, passersby and folk looking out their windows. Horses in Alloa are a rare sight these days!!
The only time Smokey got a wee bit spookey was when we passed the glassworks. It's quite enclosed and noisy, then to crown it a bloke came out of a side door wearing a helmet with huge ear defenders on it - Smokes had to have a real good look at that!
Our biggest traffic tailback was at Tesco - about nine cars, I think. Almost all motorists were really good, though a few got a wee bit close when passing us.
Can't wait to do it again, now.
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Comments
tutleymutley
That sounds a great adventure - what a way to travel! There's retired guy in our village who comes down to the shop with his pony and trap regularly - and Mapstone Hill is very steep.
Where are the pics?
Liz
Very brave! It's always nerve wracking the first time you take a horse out on the roads but with w vehicle as well it's even worse.
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Rosemary
Pics were somewhat limited by our lack of free hands. However, we plan to get him out and about on Saturday and will try to get some then. But only if I can get enough mud off him that he's recognisable as a grey!!
Wanda
How is Smokey doing in his new pasture? It sounds like you had quite a little adventure! Glad you have him close and GOOD LUCK Dan, on your new job!
Rosemary
Hi, Wanda
He seems to have settled in fine - he's above Andy and below Coaly and Johnny in the heirarchy. So long as he remembers he's below me too, or it will be fun and games again.
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claire
Thursday 8 March, 2007 at 9:53pm
I do like a bit of waving, and smiling.
ah, maybe the whip wasn't too heavy, it was all that waving.