Esther.D...Tandem?

[Wally]

I know I am a long way off here, but Charlie the Button is going to start his in hand training proper this spring, he's all growed up and ready to start light training.

Do you ever long rein your guys tandem?

When you first introduce tandem do you put the old master in front or wheeler? or do you wait and see who is the more forward going of the two?

oh yes.....am I mad?

By the way he's no better this year, last year he went out into the 50 acre hill park and got stuck at the bottom end because there was a scary open drain which he couldn/wouldn't cross. He'd last 10 minutes out in the open hill...the big girl's blouse.

[Esther.D]

I have long reined tandem in the past but found it even harder than driving tandem - even more capacity for spagetti reins ;) Generally I just put them into the vehicle with someone leading the leader (and the wheeler too if necessary) and see how we go! I usually have the old hand as the wheeler - you can have a mad leader but if your wheeler is not steady you are in real trouble;) It does help to have the most forward going in the lead but it is not essential..I have had mine all ways around. The most important thing is that the leader is bold....their most important job is to go forward whatever happens...slowly is ok so long as there is forward movement! If Charlie is not bold (which sounds likely ;) ) but is steady then I would consider reversing my usual method and use him as the wheeler from the word go. I did this with Gallie as he is not confident in front but is extremely steady in the wheel, but I was happy to do this as he was experienced in single/pair/unicorn before he tried tandem. He loves being the wheeler in a tandem it is his favourite job - he gets to follow the one in front and use lots of muscle power..two of his favourite things:D He is also built like a tank which helps as the wheeler will be doing a lot of the work.

I look forward to seeing the tandem....My new tandem has stagnated a bit recently as Bobby has still not finished his training as he has been put on the back boiler for a while so we can concentrate on getting Pablo riding. However I feel his first lesson of the new year coming on this weekend so I'll let you know how much he has remembered!

[Wally]

Charlie did it, he got over the drain, he's now in the open park and freeeeee!

It took Kvikur and Randolin to come and get him though.

So, from what you have said I think it will be Pants in front and the Button behind....but I think once Charles has become more accustomed to the big wide world he may be just as incorrigible as his bro.

You didn't answer my question, methinks you are avoiding it..........AM I MAD?

[Laetitia]

No not mad, go for it. give you a real buzz.L

[Esther.D]

You didn't answer my question, methinks you are avoiding it..........AM I MAD?

Who am I to answer that - I drive a unicorn of shetlands:D (well I will again once I have a new vehicle:rolleyes: ).

Of course you are mad...we all are..just enjoy it - at least you are not aiming for a random..even I have not been mad enough for that (yet) ;)

[Wally]

.......now you come to mention it!:D :D :D We started training the Fivie Whiff a few weeks ago and she took to it as if she'd been driving all her life. Forward going she ain't and a bit of a miss-match with the Button and the Pants, they are both BIG and she's only 34 inches.

So I make another set of 8 metre long reins, Pants in front, Fivvie in the middle, to keep her going, and Charles at the back!


We are having to get another tiny, weeny cart for Fivvie as Pants' trolley is miles too big for her. Can't decide whether red with black lines or just go for broke and get purple as it's Frances' youngest's fave. colour and it is for her. The eldest has her own pony. Whiff did belong to the younger, but grown out of. If Whiff gets her own cart then the kids can carry on having fun with her........v-e-r-y, v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y though, Whiffy doesn't do fast!