Learning to drive

Category: Ramblings | Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:28 pm

This is what I'm struggling with this week-end. How to master a horse and a carriage. The worst thing was to sort out the harness. There are so many bits and pieces to it! I'm very glad I had good help. And I'm profoundly thankful that the pony knows what to do, because I most certainly don't! But I'm learning, which is the whole idea of this class.

We're starting, very carefully:

The patient instructor is giving us a few valuable tips as we go. My, we look very small in the back there!

I have been so lucky with this pony. She's very well-behaved and calm, and her confidence is rubbing off on me. Can you see that I'm enjoying myself immensely?

Tomorrow we're driving slalom at a trot. I can't wait!

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glendann wrote on Sat Sep 20, 2008 9:40 pm:

Looking good Droopy.

eileen wrote on Sat Sep 20, 2008 11:42 pm:

Oh I'm absolutely green with envy Droopy. How I wish I could have learned to drive a horse and carriage when I used to ride. Sadly arthritis has put paid to my ambitions but now I can follow your progress. You certainly look as though your are enjoying the experience. Onwards and upwards!!!

Sjoerd wrote on Sun Sep 21, 2008 12:21 am:

This is fantastic Droopy! You do in fact look positively happy as a lark. It looks like you have a big smile of confidence on each of the shots.
Gabriella looks clean and nice. I think she's enjoying the practice as well.
Keep up the good work now...and send more piccies when you have the time. :-)

dooley wrote on Sun Sep 21, 2008 3:40 am:

I have to tell you that I am not a fan of horses. I was only on a horse two times. The first time was with a friend on their farm and it brushed up against a wooden fence trying to get us off. It worked. The second time was on a farm with my cousin. That horse walked into a big, huge puddle of water that was too deep for us to wade into and just stood there. The puddle was dug out and filled for cows to drink from. We hollered and kicked its sides with our heels and it didn't move. Finally an older brother heard us yelling and came to our rescue. He waded out, took the reins and the horse walked right out. I never have gotten on a horse again. I'll have to ask my cousin if she did. I was in about second grade then, maybe seven years old. dooley

Biita wrote on Sun Sep 21, 2008 8:09 am:

Wow, that is great! That is what KB does, trains the horses for the cart and carriage. Since there is no more carts, since tourists are gone, he said the horses are flying thru the roads with the little one person carriages.

I know you are having a blast! Because he comes home everyday with a smile. I have told him what you are doing, and he says the most important part of all the riding is to treat the horse with as much respect as you would want to be treated yourself. Lots of love and pats. Keep going and let us know how much you are loving it! Looking good!

gardengater wrote on Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:22 pm:

You look very happy and at home with that carriage, Droopy. Glad you're enjoying it. Congratulations.
Gardengater

Droopy wrote on Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:09 pm:

Thank you all for your support. I'm very tired now, after two whole days of learning, but it feels very good indeed to have gained new knowledge. We drove a cone-and-ball trail today, and not one of the balls fell off the cones. The lady in charge of driving in our club wants us to train for a show in early November. I don't feel confident enough right now, but I might with a lot more practice. :)

toni wrote on Sun Sep 21, 2008 5:23 pm:

Wow Droopy, what a fun thing to do. Good luck with the lessons. You have little over a month practice, practice, practice. And I bet you will be ready for the show in no time.