Post by heathera on Apr 24, 2011 16:10:49 GMT -1
I can't stop grinning like a madly grinning Cheshire Cat and my face is starting to ache 
Yesterday was a write off day but today dawned well and a slightly longer lie than usual set us up well. The sun was out, Rose was in a bouncy mood and we had time so we decided to go for a Sunday drive.
It's all slowly becoming more familiar but we still check in with each other at every stage. I'm not sure we had the traces the right length or everything else correct so would be grateful if someone could check the video for us please.
With putting to she was completely, "Whatever" and stood calmly while we messed about with clips, straps, scratched our heads a bit and checked then rechecked everything. As this was only the third time in her carriage we started with SO on the lead rein but she was so calm he unclipped her and we had a quick steering, gaits and brakes check on our own. I'm now driving one handed using my own method and we're much happier, we spent about 75% of the drive today one handed and the rest two handed as if riding so hands close together.
All was well so we ventured out the gates and up the track again. She went so well that SO was on the back step within 50yds, he was holding a lunge line just in case. The first time he stepped on board while Rose was walking she stopped and flickered her ears to ask what was happening. She was calm, just a bit unsure whether she was supposed to stop or not. We told her what a clever girl she was and the second time SO stepped on while she was walking she just flickered her ears and kept going. She's so fabulous, if she's not sure she just halts and asks for instructions
We met our first vehicle who was lovely and reversed a good 100 yards and waited in the passing place for us. Rose was far more relaxed this week and so was I, no fear at all just curiosity and a slight hesitancy at some spooky troughs and the vehicle. SO jumped off and gave her a lead past the vehicle. After it had moved off we used the passing place to turn, it's really tight and she has to really push the shafts round, pretty much turning the carriage about the inside wheel. SO was on the ground ready to help but we actually did it all on our own before having a lovely 200yds of spanking trot before walking home on a long rein.
She coped well with the rutted and rough ground coming through the gate by the cattle grid and even managed a tight dog leg turn to come in the main gate, round various vehicles and then into the arena to finish.
I already knew she was a special girl but she's raised me to a whole new level of appreciation of just how wonderful she is. It might only have been 1.5km in total but it was a big achievement for us as if we'd gone round Badminton.
Here's a short video clip of us in the arena at the end when Rose was a little tired so we're a bit more wobbly on the steering.
youtu.be/ADwOLqgr34o
Yesterday was a write off day but today dawned well and a slightly longer lie than usual set us up well. The sun was out, Rose was in a bouncy mood and we had time so we decided to go for a Sunday drive.
It's all slowly becoming more familiar but we still check in with each other at every stage. I'm not sure we had the traces the right length or everything else correct so would be grateful if someone could check the video for us please.
With putting to she was completely, "Whatever" and stood calmly while we messed about with clips, straps, scratched our heads a bit and checked then rechecked everything. As this was only the third time in her carriage we started with SO on the lead rein but she was so calm he unclipped her and we had a quick steering, gaits and brakes check on our own. I'm now driving one handed using my own method and we're much happier, we spent about 75% of the drive today one handed and the rest two handed as if riding so hands close together.
All was well so we ventured out the gates and up the track again. She went so well that SO was on the back step within 50yds, he was holding a lunge line just in case. The first time he stepped on board while Rose was walking she stopped and flickered her ears to ask what was happening. She was calm, just a bit unsure whether she was supposed to stop or not. We told her what a clever girl she was and the second time SO stepped on while she was walking she just flickered her ears and kept going. She's so fabulous, if she's not sure she just halts and asks for instructions
We met our first vehicle who was lovely and reversed a good 100 yards and waited in the passing place for us. Rose was far more relaxed this week and so was I, no fear at all just curiosity and a slight hesitancy at some spooky troughs and the vehicle. SO jumped off and gave her a lead past the vehicle. After it had moved off we used the passing place to turn, it's really tight and she has to really push the shafts round, pretty much turning the carriage about the inside wheel. SO was on the ground ready to help but we actually did it all on our own before having a lovely 200yds of spanking trot before walking home on a long rein.
She coped well with the rutted and rough ground coming through the gate by the cattle grid and even managed a tight dog leg turn to come in the main gate, round various vehicles and then into the arena to finish.
I already knew she was a special girl but she's raised me to a whole new level of appreciation of just how wonderful she is. It might only have been 1.5km in total but it was a big achievement for us as if we'd gone round Badminton.
Here's a short video clip of us in the arena at the end when Rose was a little tired so we're a bit more wobbly on the steering.
youtu.be/ADwOLqgr34o
we neither of understand the harness at all - duh 
I really do think they are born to drive and really 'get it' and enjoy leading the way ;D