Re: [RC] endurance - Maggie MieskeHow about a story about "driving"? Just started our 5 year old stallion driving. Please keep in mind that this fella is exceptional and we in NO way, shape or form are suggesting that training a horse to drive )or ride) is THIS easy. Mykal has always been accepting and intelligent about anything we have asked of him. I did some basic saddle training on him late in his 3 year old year. Earlier that year, he had discovered "women" and when I tried to work with him, was a total blooming idiot in that he couldn't stand to even FACE away from the herd. So, I put him back and left him until the fall. One day that fall as we were working at the farm on fence and such, I announced to Nelson that I was going to work with Mykal again. I saddled him up and away we went...he did sidepass most of the way across the field when we started off but within ten minutes he was moving forward, back, sideways, trotting, anything I asked him to do (I waited for cantering until he could build up some muscle...I am a HW after all and have SOME compassion). So, we went for a "ride" and that was "it". Last fall (as a 4 year old), we did our first 25 mile LD ride...the funniest thing he does though is "ask" if we can go home. No matter how "close" home (or camp) is, he will stop and turn around and look at me as if to tell me, we really have gone too far and should turn around now. It's hilarious. He is getting over that now as he has discovered that going is really a lot of fun and now that he is in better condition he CAN go farther. And besides, there's always a treat at the end of the trail! :) ANYWAY, Nelson needs a driving horse. Mykal is the most logical horse because he needs more work before he can begin fifties (maybe late this season or even next year...no hurry) and driving is a great way to do that. Besides, Nelson's excuse for not RIDING with me is his insecurity in the SADDLE. Doesn't work when there's a horse to DRIVE. :) Anyway, we ground drove Mykal once. He aced it 100%. Executed turns and moves some experienced horses couldn't do. Next time, we put the harness on him...fun at first and then boring (for him). So, we let him haul a small log. That's fun and different. Then a noisy bouncy bedspring (we use it to break up manure in the pasture!). That was even more intriguing. Like a game for him. NOTHING bothered him except his excess forelock (which we have since trimmed and ended up having to adjust the bridle since the forelock was so thick). So...... yesterday, we hitched him up to Nelson's endurance cart. After a couple of wheeling and backing lessons, away we went with me holding onto a lunge line and walking beside him and Jenny riding shotgun on Max. I eventually got in the cart with Nelson....Mykal walks like a fast fiend and I'm too short and stout to keep up even though I've been working out and walking on the treadmill lately. :) We DROVE. Mykal LOVED it...finally trotted off after we felt more secure and confident and he loved it even more then. I can't WAIT for our first drive...we are hosting a fun drive in May through our club GLEDA...Great Lakes Endurance Driving Association. This is so much fun and I just know there are a lot of folks out there waiting to have some of that fun with us. (Met lots of them at Horse Expo!) Later this week, I will ride Malik and we'll go for a little longer "drive". Mykal turns and wheels like a pro...I am totally amazed. I will never be able to train another horse without comparing them to Mykal!! I am completely spoiled now! Anyway, get out there and do something different with your horse. You don't NEED a surcingle or harness to teach them to ground drive (tie your stirrups up across your saddle and run some long lines through them). It is FUN. We also plan to have some fun obstacle courses this summer at our local arena. Not a real ride story but some fun nonetheless. Hope everyone else finds some time to do something fun with their horse today. Even if it's just "beauty shop". :) Maggie =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Ridecamp is a service of Endurance Net, http://www.endurance.net. Information, Policy, Disclaimer: http://www.endurance.net/Ridecamp Subscribe/Unsubscribe http://www.endurance.net/ridecamp/logon.asp Ride Long and Ride Safe!! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
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