1st drive with Benny - a big THANKYOU!

[Cathy Reynolds]

Well, today was the day. My husband came out to the yard early, we tacked Benny up and walked him out in full gear pulling the little buggy. After about 1/2 a mile in one of the quiet straight country lanes I got on board and drove with Mike walking beside. benny only hesitated for a couple of strides. After another 10 minutes Mike was able to walk behind. We had one stop where, when Hannah rides, we turn left onto the tracks and we had to persuade him that this was different! But on the little lane that brings you back onto the home straight I trotted on for 100 yds or so going uphill (yes, I know this is Norfolk but we do have some small slopes!) and he really enjoyed himself. I suppoose we went about 2 miles in total. Funny little devil - he KNEW he'd done well when we got back!

I have my eye on a second hand Bennington 2-wheeler, now. But I need to sell the car first before I can afford it. Anyone want a cheap Renault!

We are going over to John Parker's for 10yr old Hannah to have her first tacking up and driving lesson Thursday, so once Benny is more settled I shall get her on board the buggy with a second set of reins so she can drive like a learner car-driver!

This post is really for all those people who helped with messages of encouragement and advice as we have got to know and love the brat and train him to behave (well sometimes). THANKS.

[Wally]

Well done you, it's a wonderful feeling when you finally get into the cart and drive. Take things slowly for a while yet, trot for very short spaces to begin with.

In my experience you are at a very sensetive time, The horse has gained a great deal of confidence. It's very easy to over do things at this time, the horse gets a fright at the cart bouncing along behind at a fast, long trot. I just thought I'd let you know, it happened to me once or twice, so I'm over cautious at this time in their training!

I'm so pleased for you.

A Bennington is a really good vehicle, I know which I'd rather have , a Renault or a Bennington!

Keep up the good work and we'll see you both in the ribbons at the next driving show in the excercise vehicle class!

[Sharon H]

Good for you. I'd love to have Henry broken to drive but as I haven't got anyone to come out with me it seems a bit pointless. I don't mind driving my Shetland alone because he's so safe and it's not too high up to jump out quickly but I can't do that with a novice Welsh Cob. I knew there was a reason I should have had children!

[Wally]

My little lad always volunteers to be "test pilot" as he calls himself! He's usually the first mug to be hoisted on board the new riding ponies. He loves it.

Goodness knows what I'm going to do when he gets too big for the Shetlands.

[Miriam]

Glad you enjoyed your first drive with Benny. It is a wonderful feeling to drive and I get a real kick out of it. I am only now beginning to like being in the sdalle. If anyone had asked me to choose between riding and driving, driving would be top of the list.

[Cathy Reynolds]

Sunday didn't go so well at first. B didn't want to go without Mike walking in front - until that is we got to a right turn where, despite being 1 mile from home, he somehow knows he's on the home leg - he went fantastically after that. Mike couldn't believe the change in him. Wretch.

But at 1 point coming home he tried to stop when I gave the rein and voice aid, the breeching caught him unawares and he got into a bit of a muddle. Wally you are ABSOLUTELY right. I MUST repeat ten times a day - patience is a virtue!

Hannah rode tonight and he really stuck his heels in and tried to refuse to go. He is very nappy still and a real pain. She gets so dispirited and I have to take her down the main yard so everyone commiserates with her (much better than Granny telling her how common it is!).

Back to longreining out.