[Rosemary]

At the risk of tempting Fate, I wanted to share with you a great session with Smokey, my Highland pony, and Steve (AengusOg) this afternoon. I'm so chuffed.

Smokey is broken to drive but after an accident, I kind of lost my nerve and he's been dossing around in the field. But we all have to earn our corn here(not that he GETS corn), so I bought a broller and a harrow. Today, we longreined him, then he pulled the homemade swingle tree, bumping along behind him, then pulled it with Steve putting weight on it. Then we hitched him to a log, then the log with Steve putting more weight on it. Finally, we let him see the harrow, Steve pulled it behind him and then jangled chains behind him too.

I don't think Smokey put a foot wrong. The only time he looked a we bit concerned was when the log got caught in a dip in the ground, but he had a wee look (he's not blinkered) and set off again. What a star! I'm so proud of him!

Next time, we'll get the harrow on but meantime I'm going to work on getting him to turn by pivoting on his hind legs.

So high, I can't wait for the next session. Thanks to Steve, who gives me the knowledge and the confidence to take this forward - couldn't do it without him.

[Collie26]

I've got a highland called fergus and would love to teach him to drive, he is soooo laid back (when he wants to be)

How big is smokey??

How old is he?? What harnesses ect do you use???

[Roxy]

Well done, Rosemary!!  And smokey of course.

As someone who had been in numerous accidents with a pony in harness - it does knock your confidence.  So much so, that I no longer drive unless in the confines of an indoor arena, or an enclosed field, where I happily do cones.  I will groom - i.e.  sit on the carriage at a driving show, but if I am honest, would much prefer not to. It took me a while to even get on the carriage at all, again.

Later this month we have two turnouts entered for a driving show.  My hubby wants me to drive one, as I am perfectly capable, but I have refused.  He has had to find someone else to drive a pony, and I will groom. The thing is, it was neither of these ponies which were involved in the "episodes", and they are perfectly safe .....but the thought of something happening is still there.

[egglady]

roxy, you might want to try some hypnotherapy - it will really help you to get over your anxiety.

[Rosemary]

I've got a highland called fergus and would love to teach him to drive, he is soooo laid back (when he wants to be)

How big is smokey??

How old is he?? What harnesses ect do you use???

He's 15.1hh, so oversize for a Highland. He was foaled in 1997, so was 14 in May. i've had him since he was rising six.

I've got Libby's webbing harness with a breast collar but I bought him a French collar from JS Rich (I think) for heavier work. Today we used the French collar with a roller, plus the back straps, crupper and trace carriers from the Libby's harness. He has a normal bridle with a straight Liverpool bit (in the mildest rings), but no blinkers. I had 22ft rope reins and 12ft rope traces made by the local chandlers.



Steve and I, plus another friend of Steve's, are going to run a working pony course at the end of July here at Dalmore.

[egglady]

can you put my name down for it please? 

[doganjo]

I hope it's right at the end of july - I missed the last one and want to come this time but I'm judging in Gretna on the 24th.

[SallyintNorth]

Well done Rosemary and thanks for sharing.

You know already that I would love to come on the course, and BH too - let's hope we get enough hay-making weather before then ...

I am glad to hear you drive Smokey without blinkers, I have often wondered whether the blinkers are really so very necessary as the die-hards tell me...  What would make you decide to use or not use blinkers on a particular pony ro situation?

[ellied]

I'd be interested in the day if I'm free but I'm teaching on 23-4 July and was thinking of a felting day on 30th so not sure - am free 16/17 but that probably isn't "late" July..

[Rosemary]

Saturday 30th July will be the date of the next WP course.

If there is sufficient interest, we'll do another September time.

Re blinkers, as with everything to do with horses, there's no rght and wrong answer - it depends on the pony. Most working ponies and horse are worked without blinkers while many driving ponies are blinkered. I don't know if this is tradition, fashion, safety or what. AengusOg will know better than I.

[doganjo]

Put me down for that please, Rosemary

[sabrina]

Looking very good