ridecamp@endurance.net: Re: right of way & ponying

Re: right of way & ponying

Ruth Bourgeois (ruthb@tdsi.net)
Thu, 13 Feb 1997 13:19:30 -0600

Regarding who has the right of way- isn't it funny how the actual
"rights" don't necessarily coincide with the way it goes sometimes?
Like, I used to drive a big car. I got respect. No one wanted to run
into that thing. Now I drive a little economy car, and whether I have
the right of way or not, seems like anyone in a bigger car/truck isn't
afraid to pull out in front of me or take advantage of a "right of way"
situation.
When riding in traffic, I've found the same to be true. One time when I
was riding out in the country, I started going over a one-lane bridge.
An oncoming car approached when I was about halfway across, so I rode
out to the center of the bridge (figuring he'd get the message & wait
until I was all the way across). That guy didn't even slow down for me
and my horse. I pulled her over to the side of the bridge as fast as I
could when I saw he wasn't slowing down, but still he passed so close to
me that my foot brushed against his mirror. My horse jumped straight up
in the air, and was real spooky (with good reason!) about bridges a long
time after that. I was so furious. I've also had people fly by on wet
days, splashing water up on my horse and spooking her. No consideration
at all. I just try to ride cautiously, defensively, and always be aware
of traffic coming from either direction. A lot of people do know the
rules of the road and are considerate, but it's always wise to be on the
alert for those who don't.

Ponying- I pony my gelding frequently to the pasture, and given the
choice, he'd dwawdle along or jig/trot along, depending on his mood. I
found that putting a chain over his nose, the TTEAM way - not directly
across the nose, but looping it around the noseband of the halter and up
the side of the halter - fixes this problem. It's not severe enough to
be punishing him, but it's there to remind him to keep up and not be
silly about it. Most of the time there's no need to put any pressure at
all on the chain, but just having it in place seems to remind him to
watch his manners.

Ruth

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