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Total Beginner
Topic Started: Dec 3 2007, 09:57 AM (618 Views)
OTF
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Here I am starting a new topic in a new place....brave, aren't I?

A couple of years ago we took Muddy to a small donkey training "clinic" to learn about getting started in driving. We have harness, we have a cart, we have donkeys. When I'm able to stop working (soon, please, soon), I will either pick up where I left off with Muddy or perhaps start anew with Feather, Muddy's 4 yr. old daughter. Something tells me it might be easier/safer to work with a jennet than a jack. Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading (and seeing) what you real drivers out there will post here.

Sadly, this is as far as we got. Please don't laugh. :(


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War Admiral
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"Sure doesn't LOOK like an ASB."
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Hey, that's a good place to start! Crupper is next.

BTW your avatar is adorable!

And thanks to the mods for starting this forum! :clap:
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CDE Driver
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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I love the second picture!

He's like, What The.... :huh:

Come on and join the fun!
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dancing lawn
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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I don't drive (yet) but I have a good book called "the Essential Guide to Carriage Driving" that was recommended to me by the Mennonites that operate Brubachers Harness shop, near Kitchener Ont.

AND, I have dibs on a very sweet little 2 wheeled pony cart.

I have ponies.

and that's as far as I've got. so far, at least! So, OTF,you are MILES ahead of me!

the only (haha) "driving" experience I've ever had was a few years ago.

I went deep into the woods and selected the perfect Christmas tree. It was so big, and the woods are so dense, that it took me 3 whole days to haul it as far as the furthest corner of my hayfield.

So, I got this SUPREMELY clever idea.

I would go get William Lyon MacKenzie King, my rescued donkey.

(Max was NOT trained to drive)

I don't have harness. So, I got a bit creative, with the use of a pony saddle, a small breast plate, and two longe lines.

I walked with Max out to where the tree was lying, in all its glory.

I tied the ends of the lines to the tree. (I made sure that the two lines were arranged in a way that they wouldn't get tangled in donkey.)

and, with me at his head, holdint a lead shank attached to his halter, we began walking home.

Max was pretty good about having to hike through snow, with the tree dragging behind him.

until we got to the lane leading from the hayfield to the open fields beyond, and the barn.

he began walking faster.

and then trotting.

and then I couldn't keep up, and let go of the lead shank.

he immediately put his head down, began BRAYING at the top of his lungs, and took of galloping for home, with the tree BOUNCING over bumps and snowbanks behind him.

The horses looked up, and came galloping to meet him.

pretty soon, the whole herd, Max in the lead, tree behind still bouncing and bounding, and the horses, were ALL galloping through the front field, in a HUGE circle, the horses hooves pounding, the snow spraying up, Max doing the donkey honk as loud as he could.

I was sitting in the snow, laughing so hard I was crying, cars were pulling over to watch the show.

eventually, everyone quieted down, the horses lost interest, and Max went to the gate and waited, out of breath, for me to come and "save" him.

the tree survived, Max, survived, I survived, and after that, I went to the Boy Scouts each year for a tree.

what a sight. :lol:
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dancing lawn, that is a WONDERFUL story! I have a video of the whole thing in my head. And the braying while galloping...(I can hear the sounds with each stride)! William Lyon MacKenzie King -- that is one great name. And the horses coming to see what's up, and why was their buddy pulling a stupid tree across the field!

Oh thank you, you really made my day. :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Magic
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Thomas H. Cruise!
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LOL! Great story lawn! :clap:
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CDE Driver
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

That is hilarious! :lol: :lol:

At least you got the tree home!
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CanadianStarz
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Magical Leopluridon
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Recomend you get rid of the "overcheck" strap attatched at the top of the bridle. (It is used mainly for Standardbred Racing, to stop the horses from diving down with their heads whilst racing.) Somehow.... ;) I don't think Muddy's little girl will be breaking any speed records! :lol: Love that little Gal! :rose:
The little Gal sure looks interested in her new threads.....especially the nice new red pad!
Driving is one of my most favourite things, and now my arm is coming back on line :one: , thinking I will get out and at it more this season! :cheer: Mid size beasties are just my size now, as I just can't make the reach for the bigguns, to either tack up, to drive or ride!

ENJOY.....Driving is Great Fun....either up the road or Competitive!
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CS, :lol: that IS Muddy in the photos, checking out all the stuff. We had just put the bridle on him, first time he ever had a bit in his mouth...and didn't even seem to notice it (I don't know if that's good or bad.)

Do you have some photos you could share? You probably have sleighs!

Here's Feather as a 2 yr. old. I think she will learn quickly as she's been shown quite a bit and and won't be as distracted as Muddy would be (too many girls near where I'd be working):

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CDE Driver
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Oh my gosh, a flying donk :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

That is a great photo!

I agree, no overcheck.

CanadianStarz, my combined driving horse is 16.2. Really not too big.
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dancing lawn
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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Gosh, I miss having a donkey!
Max was adopted out to two WONDERFUL ladies who spoil him senseless! He has been taught to drive properly, and each day goes down to the mailbox to collect the mail. He goes with them, or without them. :innocent: He's a wonderful donkey.

My OTHER driving Max story is just as funny.

Each year, at the local fall fair, we have what are called "Farm Races". These are basically harness races, only we can't call them that for some complicated OJC reason.

anyway.

often, there are only 1 or 2 entries. and the prize money is pretty good. and there aren't any qualifiers.

basically, you run around the track twice. Each race is two heats, each heat is a race.

SOOOO,

I borrowed a training bike.

I borrowed some silks. (it was great! white pants, goggles, helmet for me, harness, hopples, and GOGGLES for Max.)

I entered him simply as: ENTRY, dancing lawn farm, owner/driver me.

and kept him hidden until post time.

we came out, there were TWO other entries.

so, we ambled round the track twice, at a sedate trot, never once breaking stride.

we were a hit with the audience.

The organizers, not so much. (they take their farm races VERY seriously out here.)

oh, how I wish we had gotten pictures! :lol:
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dancing lawn
We're on a bridge, Chaaaaaaaaarlie!
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While I'm on the subject of the local fall fair, this was the PRIZE-WINNING giant ball of twine that I showed one year.

I'm in the red, and my friend Sheila is on the right. Sheila runs the Primrose Donkey Sanctuary. :) She helped me roll the giant ball into the exhibit hall. :lol: :lol:
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dancing lawn, I love your Max stories! I wish you had photos of the fair "race" too. What a hoot!

How wonderful that Max has two ladies to care for him and love him. I am especially interested to read of your friend Sheila's donkey sanctuary and have bookmarked it (sadly, my list of bookmarked rescues just gets longer and longer). A GOOD person she is! And every animal on her place knows it too.

Your twine ball is fantastic! Do you know what it weighed? It sickens me to think how much twine I throw away. What a great photo of the two of you.
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CanadianStarz
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Oooops sorry Muddy.... ;) But you are a Handsome Dude, & with those driving duds I mistook you for your beautiful daughter Feather. :teehee:


This is one of my Favourite New Forest Pony Sportscars called Thistle of Forest Hill, OTF. :)
She is a fantastic Competitive Mare both in the Ring or Cross Country. However, she is equally fine for educating new Drivers, and has saved the day on many occasions with her steady way of going.

This is one of the Youngsters along side, that loved to Compete in the Ride and Drive Classes. (I think this was the first time I had taken her with me for a Navigator on the Cross Country)
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Here is another photo of Thistle moving out through the Cross Country Course.
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This lovely New Forest Pony won every Class she entered for both days!
Sadly she is now Semi-retired, but still loves to go for the occasional spin around the farm! :one: Her and I will someday Retire together! Like DH....SHE IS A KEEPER!
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CDE Driver
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Awesome Pacific Star.
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