Franz can drive!

[knight1]

We did it, Franz & I have taken some short drives.  I am so excited.  But I do see that his education has enough what I consider holes in it that we are just doing gound work this winter.  Mazes, leading in , around & over obstacles and much more work to be sure he's just as trusting as Knight.  Speaking of Knight, hard for me to believe he's 15 this year.  And he's gotten better & better with age, to where he is just the most delighful pony ever.  He & I have a little ride around our fields most nights, simply the most fun in the world.  Franz will mature into a lovely pony and will be alot of fun, but Knight is an incredible delight.  He sure made me a believer in just how special our Dales ponies are. 

So nice to see everyone's photos of their ponies and hear about all your fun with them.

Here's Franz with a friend to walk with him for moral support on our first drive.  Please ignore the matronly driver with a grin on her face.


And here's Knight ready for a little stroll around the field

[Debbie]

Oh my stars good thing I was sitting down for the news Knight is 15 this year. Time surely flies

Franz looks so smart in his harness. He looks like he is trying very hard for you. I think he's doing brilliant given his age. And Knight looks so handsome

[harveydales]

Lovely to read what fabulous fun you are having with your ponies. What a lovely pic of you driving with Franz and I really can't believe Knight is 15 now!!! But then Uncle Harvey will be 20 next year! I am finding the same, as the years go by, Harvey gets better and better too. What an amazing breed the Dales Pony is.

[cassey1988]

Such nice pones!

[dalesnfellfan]

Looks as if Franz is doing well, Knight is such a lovely colour, very unusual, they both look lovely ponies.

[felix]

is that the new heather Moffatt leather tree'd flex EE saddle on knight? if so how are you finding it? I like the look of them.

[valerie n scout]

Knight is looking super, I miss driving I must admit x

[knight1]

You've a sharp eye Felix, yes Knight's saddle is a flex EE. Synthetic is really best in our hot, wet climate and it is the best synthetic I've used by far. The leather tree has with some break in time enough flex to accomodate Knight's high withers but wide shoulder very nicely. Still keeps a good wither clearance. Comfortable for me, flexes enough to make Knight happy with his high withers & slightly dippy back so we're both happy. Mine is the VSD GP which seems alot like a working hunter sort of shape. The dressage was too straight & stirrup bar too far back for my old knees & hips to manage. I note that Heather doesn't recommend using on several horses of greatly different shape, as mine has widened for Knight's shape but really wouldn't go back to a narrower shape now. Shame she is quitting making them, so if you want a synthetic you may need to check into it soon. The leather one she's doing now has a changable head plate sort of thing and sounds like will solve the problem of using on different shapes.