This message is from: "Beck, Sharon" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Thks for the information. I also thought that with a chariot, I could
easily step off and jog behind it , for excersize, and step back on
without stopping the horse, my dog could also jump on/off easily. I also
was thinking about sending him to the amish for driving. Has anyone had
the amish start their driving horses for them?
> ----------
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Reply To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 1998 5:02 AM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: training to drive
>
> This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> You wrote: I'm just starting my horse and thought a chariot would be
> easyer to jump off , it he runs off etc.
>
> Our trainer, an old time teamster named Ken Demers, has always
> insisted that the driver has the same sort of resonsibility as the
> ship's Captain, that is, to stay with the ship (or cart) till the
> end. Fortunately, although we've had some interesting experiences
> driving, we've never (yet) had a runaway, so, once again we've never
> had the chance to demonstrate our willingness to stay in the driver's
> seat. (Frankly, I hope we never do!)
> The trainer's rationale is that you may eventually
> be able to bring the horse(s) under control if you keep trying, and,
> in the meantime, you may be able to prevent some innocent bystander
> and/or your horse(s) from being seriously injured if you stay "at the
> helm".
> Regarding training to drive, it seems to go very well with these
>
> intellegent Fjords if they are trained by being hitched to another
> very stable horse. Ken uses a huge black Percheron named Tom.
> Believe me, no Fjord , no matter how green, is going to run away with
> Tom. They do look pretty silly hitched together, but, after a few
> days with Tom, the Fjords get the message pretty well.
> Typically, the first time they are to be driven singly, one of
> us
> walks alongside with a lead rope attached to the animal to give a
> little more control in case they start acting up. We've also found
> that riding them is much easier after they've been driven. They are
> used to a bit, and the saddle on their back is not frightening since
> they've been in a collar and heavy work harness (admittedly, not
> cinched down as tightly as with a saddle).
>
