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Post by clara on Jun 3, 2008 15:06:58 GMT -1
It looks like we are all busy here and non of us have had time to post recently but how is everyone getting on? Any good results show wise or newly broken ponies? I did Ashfields and came second overall I won the marathon but was let down by a poor dressage test and also came second at my last event at Euston. I thought I had done a good dressage test but sadly I was in the minority and neither of the judges agreed with me  Again we won the marathon. I have been doing dressage training with Sport for two years and beat myself with a section A Welsh (one of my pair) after only three weeks of schooling for him.  Typical!!! That said Sport is fabulous on the marathon and really enjoys it so that makes up for it. I have been busy with my welshies but am struggling to find the time for my baby dales, Mac (Colliery Duke II). I am toying with the idea of selling him as I think he is wasted with me and I have realized that I may be over horsed with two dales as a pair. He is broken to ride and drive and has fabulous paces. If any of you know someone who is looking do let me know. Enough about me how's it all going your end? Lucy dales did your pony have it's foal? |
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Post by dollylanedales on Jun 3, 2008 15:41:06 GMT -1
Nice to hear how your ponies are doing. Interesting that you say about being over horsed with two Dales as a pair. It was my intention to have Oliver and Molly driving as a pair, but not got round to this yet. Having said that, I do find one Dales quite strong when driving, so not sure about two!!
Not doing much driving at the moment, Molly hopefully will be in foal soon, and Tyson our little 11.2 is recovering after being whilst in harness, and his breast collar is broken .... Just got to find the courage to put him back in harness and hope he will be the safe little pony he was before the disaster.
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Post by clara on Jun 3, 2008 19:30:06 GMT -1
Bad news about your accident!!!!!!!! Poor you I have only just caught up with the news. I am sure he will be fine he sounds like a feisty and adorable little chap. I hope he comes back alright although he may be wary of dogs I am sure he wont blame the vehicle. Can't believe people have dogs like that off the lead.
I would give the pairs thing a go and see how you get on. Sporty is very strong and having driven him pairs beofre know that he likes to be constantly in draft. He dosn't leave a lot of pulling for his pair and I think when they were both up and running in the marathon that they would take a lot of stopping. Also Mac is really relaxed but still forward going where as Sport is mr intense busy person also Mac has much better paces so I think they probably would be a bit of a nightmare to drive together competitively. Honestly if I hadn't had Sport since he was four and was really rational about it I would keep Mac and sell Sport but Sport is my main man and as much as we argue we love each other truely madly deeply and I couldn't part with him. Although I have to say I love Mac too when I first got him he was such a baby and I don't think he had ever been handled. Frankly I bought him because he was gorgeous and I felt sorry for him where he was. I never dreamed he would turn into the happy little chappy he is today. Ho hum that's horses for you
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Post by harleydales on Jun 3, 2008 20:34:19 GMT -1
I haven't got going with driving yet this year, but have tidied the shed, dug out the cart and taken all the rugs and spiders off it! i also made a harness rack out of cycle hooks (8 of them) so it all looks very smart and professional - shame to spoil it by actually putting the pony to LOL!!!
I do plan to do more driving this year, including more road work. My main problem is finding a willing victim to be a partner as neither harley or me are really ready to be out on the road on our oen. Even driving in the fields I like to have someone reasonably close by just in case of problems.
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Post by dollylanedales on Jun 3, 2008 20:57:12 GMT -1
We never go out on the roads alone, Jane, always have a groom just in case something happens. Although I regularly see the old man next door out on his 4 wheeler pulled by his Dales or the Fell. I repeatedly tell him not to go out alone .....falls on deaf ears.
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Post by lucydales on Jun 3, 2008 21:13:38 GMT -1
Hello Clara!
Can't believe nearly a year has gone since you and Kaz were giving me such good advice for Amy and our first ever driving show class (If you remember we came third - and last!! - but went the best!!)
Amy has less than three weeks to go to foaling so am in panic mode! Still don't know what to do for the best!
looking forward to driving her again.
Isaac is more complex though I would still like to get him driving, it will be a slower process than Amy. Hopefully Amy's bump will be a driver!
I can understand you not wanting to part with Sporty, but don't think you should sell Mac either! He's not wasted, he's a fantastic home, just bring him on at a slower pace! When they both get to 20 they'll be compatible for pairs! LOL!
Sack the minis! LOL! Otherwise loan him then you still get a super pony back at the end (unless you need the pennies?)
Often "wasted" pones end up in not so good homes when they'd have been better of from a welfare point of view staying where they are not fully occupied.
Sorry if I'm being controversial, but how sad to have bought something you feel sorry for only to put it back there when it's been sold a few times.
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Post by clara on Jun 4, 2008 8:50:29 GMT -1
Wow how exciting!! I see a team shaping up or at least a couple of decades of driving!! I really wish you the best with the foaling and will keep my eye posted on here for news. I couldn't agree with you more regards ponies gettting sold on. That said I have only sold two ponies in my life before and still hear about both of them. I also keep in contact with the old owners of my ponies. It doesn't have to be that way. I have put the word out quietly with some of the top drivers and producers in the country who all know Sport. He would make a great M&M private drive or look fantastic in a country cart class and would do great at Driving Trials or be a fun family pony for someone. I am sure he would show under saddle too but I don't know much about that. he did well inhand when we took to the shows in his first year with us. He is a such a steady Neddy that when he is less green he will be a gold dust pony. If the right home turns up then great if not perhaps I will consider loaning him. All his basics are in place he just needs a mummy or daddy to get him doing things now. I am going to play with him after Sandringham. You never know where these ponies will take you. He will be a great pony and has a bright future either in the show ring or as a family pony and is really easy to do so I doubt he would get sold on. To be fair it is normally the difficult ponies rather than the wasted ponies that get sold on. I am definately not in a panic about him but for his sake I think he needs to start his full time education soon and don't want to let him down now afer he has come on so beautifully. I know what you mean about the welshies but they are tremendous fun with out the power and therefore good to learn my pairs skills with.
I agree with Dolly lane dales don't ever drive on your own. I have only had one accident in six years of driving but a quick acting groom quite literally saved both human and horse injuries and you never knnow when it is going to happen. Look at the dog accident. You are less likely to fall off your carriage than off your horse but when youu do it is catastrophic with nearly 200kg of carriage and just short of half a ton of pony on the front the possibilities are never ending. Well worth waiting to find the right person. Also invest in a pair of quick release snaps for your traces and a parrot clip for your crupper so you can get the horse out quick too if need be.
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Post by harleydales on Jun 4, 2008 20:12:26 GMT -1
I have a parrot clip for the crupper already, it seemed common sense. I wouldn't go out on the main roads on my own, or even on the tracks round us - you never know what you might meet. Our road is very quiet, there are only 4 houses on it and one of them is a holiday home. There is a beautiful old cart track up to a mansion house - one day I will drive up it with Harley in a smart gig and someone will take our photo!
PS there is a farm and country implement sale at our local market on Saturday - and there is a ralli car and driving harness in the catalogue...............guess who will be going for a nosey!
I'm happy in the field by the house, as long as Mike is in the garden or round about. We never get up any speed in the field, it isn't big enough, more schooling sort of work.
It is frustrating though! Anyone fancy a week in glorious SUNNY Scotland grooming for me LOL?!
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Post by clara on Jun 4, 2008 21:25:38 GMT -1
Enjoy the auction I bet that will be really fun. Rallies are lovely!! Please post the picture when of you in the smart gig when you take it!
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Post by NFK Dumpling on Jun 5, 2008 11:27:36 GMT -1
Anyone fancy a week in glorious SUNNY Scotland grooming for me LOL?! Does that come with lodging for 2 ponies, one man and his dog?  Have you seen Springwatch - I'm not that far from Pensthorpe? I do think they were exaggerating a bit, either that or they need to do a bit of muckpicking before they go on air. Simon wassisname is near a Loch, anywhere near you? |
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Post by lucydales on Jun 5, 2008 17:55:10 GMT -1
Clara, sorry my post sounded so heavy, I shouldn't post when I've been drinking wine!
I'm sure you'll find Mac a lovely home if you do sell him, if he was a girlie I'd have bitten your hand off! LOL! Perhaps I could swap him for Isaac.....! Only joking!
How do parrot clips work? (Mental note to invest in one!)
Are you planning any competions in the midlands this year, cos I'd love to come and cheer you on or be an apprentice groom if you need one?
I could bring the saddle chariot for Sporty to try!!
Good luck at your sale Jane!
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Post by harleydales on Jun 5, 2008 20:04:20 GMT -1
No, I didn't see it - what happened?
I think they were at Boat of Garten watching the osprey weren't they? It's about 40 miles from here so not far in north scottish terms! There's a very successful breeding programme there. One flew up our glen last year, I thought it was an untidy seagull until Mike checked the book!
I'm sure we could find room for everyone LOL! And if you are bringing ponies and bloke then bring carriages too!!
Phoning the mart tomorrow to get the lowdown on the ralli car and harness - would def go for the harness if it was a usable size and reasonable condition......
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Post by NFK Dumpling on Jun 9, 2008 17:32:02 GMT -1
I think they were at Boat of Garten watching the osprey weren't they? It's about 40 miles from here so not far in north scottish terms! There's a very successful breeding programme there. One flew up our glen last year, I thought it was an untidy seagull until Mike checked the book! I'm sure we could find room for everyone LOL! And if you are bringing ponies and bloke then bring carriages too!! Oh I forgot Mrs Beaks and her husband Moleymoleymoley (the ferrets)  Don't have a carriage and OH doesn't do ponies. I do quite like the idea of the saddle chariot but I may need to tie James' legs together before harnessing him up. Bill Oddie and Kate Humble were making out like you needed hat, gloves and overcoat |
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Post by clara on Jun 9, 2008 20:05:48 GMT -1
Don't worry about it in the least Lucy dales. Good to think of these things. Parrot clips can be used in places of low stress in the harness. You could get one from hartland carriages if you wanted one. Like quick release snaps you can undo them even while the straps are stressed. I use quick releasers on my traces and put a parrot clip to connect the crupper strap to the back pad. Therefore in a panic I can get the horse out in three very fast moves. As if I disconnect the back band all the breeching part of the harness is left in the vehicleand with the traces undone the horse is free of the vehicle bar the tugs!! Also it means I can get him out if he is on his side too as I don't need to get to both sides. God forbid I need to use any of it. You also see parrot clips used on to connect breeching straps to the harness instead of behind the back pad. My season finishes after Sandringham this year but perhaps next year I will venture your way. I am always on for taking someone new as my backstepper for the X country and I have yet to find someone who doesn't enjoy it, although there will always be a first!! I will definately give you a shout when I head that way. We are waiting with bated breath for this foal!!
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Post by lucydales on Jun 9, 2008 21:01:30 GMT -1
Thanks!  See breeding for foal update, live and healthy boy, but I have been to hell and back today! |
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Again we won the marathon. I have been doing dressage training with Sport for two years and beat myself with a section A Welsh (one of my pair) after only three weeks of schooling for him. 
Typical!!! That said Sport is fabulous on the marathon and really enjoys it so that makes up for it. I have been busy with my welshies but am struggling to find the time for my baby dales, Mac (Colliery Duke II). I am toying with the idea of selling him as I think he is wasted with me and I have realized that I may be over horsed with two dales as a pair. He is broken to ride and drive and has fabulous paces. If any of you know someone who is looking do let me know. Enough about me how's it all going your end? Lucy dales did your pony have it's foal?
