Off to driving training

[lisae]

Mara is going off to training this weekend (1st time off the homestead in her three years!) and the trainer has requested that we supply some form of apparatus to use to get the filly used to the feel of shafts, and used to pulling something behind her/hanging from the tugs. Two ideas gleaned from books and 'net are: take two young trees, fell and trim, and nail a heavy board between the butt ends to form a travois. 'Tops' of poles go through the tugs. Or, a "U-shaped" frame made from PVC plumbing pipes and elbow joints, which will do the same thing only be substantially lighter and flimsier. I also thought of adding "swimmies foam tubes" over the PVC pipes to make the thing wider and more visible.

I predict OH will vote for the second choice as I can make that myself!

Do the driving fans here on NR have any suggestions for which would be better? I have some time as filly still needs the 'primer' on lunging, ground driving without balling up and hopping, and exposure to carrying the harness.

Thanks!

[Tootsie4U]

No idea about the driving stuff but just wanted to say 'how exciting!'

Is this the same trainer as before? Are you still having lessons on Monday?

Sorry for being nosy :D

[lisae]

Well I appreciate the interest! This is not the same lady who started my others, that trainer only does ridden work.

This is the woman I'm taking lessons from at the new barn around the corner, she has driving experience too and we've actually switched to driving lessons with Monday - Monday loves to drive and is lukewarm about riding. I have learned a ton in just three weeks about rein handling techniques and contact!

So she is going to start Mara driving, it's a bit of an unknown but the good thing is she's less $$ than the first lady, but best of all, she wants me to work along side her step by step, and she has said things like "once we train Mara, you'll be able to start any other ones yourself with OH's help". Then she outlined how to start Mara's ridden work step by step and she says I can do that on my own, too! So in the long run this will be a learning experience for me too, instead of just getting a horse back after 30 days and told what happened. :rolleyes:

[KarinUS]

Sounds like a great instructor. I always like it when their goal is to teach you to help yourself rather than 'fix it' for you.

Will somebody be there to be able to take pics of Mara's lesson?

[lisae]

Good idea! My dad has a digital camera and time on his hands, maybe I can ask him out to take some pics.

The first week, Laurie the trainer and Mara will be on their own, though, we are going on family vacation Aug 1-7. ( Although the cabin rental isn't too far away, so I am sure I won't be able to resist coming home to check on her! )

My niece is feeding the two at home during that time.