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| PULLING ponies * photo update post #10* | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 14 2009, 10:59 PM (198 Views) | |
| LostFarmer | Feb 14 2009, 10:59 PM Post #1 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
  ![]](http://209.85.48.14/static/1/pip_r.png)
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It is that time of year when a group of us get together to pull at an area indoor arena. Not much to do in an Idaho winter and what better way to spend a Valentines day evening.  We took the little grays down to the pulls.  The Lost boys wanted to do the warms ups. Here is #3 getting them warmed up. I think we need to be sure and turn up the oats.   LC #2 wanted to try his hand at driving. He is 10 and just getting started learning to drive. He did well but when the load started to get heavy he handed me the lines. Not that I do any better than he does.   This is hooked on 2500 lbs. They pulled this load clear through with a little to spare. I was proud of the little buggers. They gave me all they had.   This was the last pull on 3000 lbs. not much more you can ask of a 450 lb pair of ponies. They laid it all out there and made a scratch of it.  Not much better than being with the ones you love on Valentines Day.  Mrs. Lost was behind the lens so she was there too. LF
Edited by LostFarmer, Mar 30 2009, 08:29 AM.
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| CDE Driver | Feb 15 2009, 09:37 AM Post #2 |
Off visiting Candy Cave, be right back.
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Very cool LF! I saw these on TOB and was hoping you would post them here  I was wondering how you have been. We got a teaser of great weather here in January and the first part of February, but back to snow now. |
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| Trialbyfire | Feb 15 2009, 02:15 PM Post #3 |
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Awesome pictures! I bet they love it, too. I have a halflinger x QH youngster boarded in my barn and he looks like he was born to pull something. Is it difficult to teach them? I think he'd really enjoy it as long as it wasn't too scary for him (he's a bit of an idiot with some things). Any recommendations for super super beginner ideas? We still have snow & ice with quite a bit of mud mixed in, but he's only 5 so thinking long term here......... |
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| LostFarmer | Feb 15 2009, 02:57 PM Post #4 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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The trick is to never let them think they can't. Start slow getting the horse to drag a small object. Then gradually add until they lean to get their hips down and use the rear engine. We teach horses to yield to pressure from the time they are halter broke and now we are wanting them to lean into the pressure. Time and not rushing it. You don't take a horse out of the pasture and ask for a 5' jump. You don't catch a pony and let them pull the world. I start with a load and have them pull it a 1/2 mile without a break, then a rest at a 1/4 mile and then at 1/8 mile rests until home. Once they can do that easy I add weight and keep doing sets. Over time they build muscle. I rarely ask them to pull like this at home but it is nice to know that they can when I need them to grab another gear. LF |
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| OTF | Feb 15 2009, 05:33 PM Post #5 |
You're BANNED!
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LF, what great photos of those ponies working hard for you and your sons! They have quite a few "pulls" in this neck of the woods during the summer. I only wish you were closer so you and your kids could show them how it's done! THANKS! |
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| Trialbyfire | Feb 15 2009, 06:45 PM Post #6 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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So backing up even a bit farther than that....I assume you start with long-lines? And ground driving [is that the right term?] before adding anything to pull? He is a greenbroke idiot that has never been properly trained to do anything so everything will have to be a do-over with him. I'm thinking a new "job" might be a way to get his head back on straight. And he's just built to pull something heavy, you can see it! Thanks for the tips! |
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| LostFarmer | Feb 15 2009, 08:09 PM Post #7 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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To start I long line and ground drive for awhile. I want to make sure that they will "step up" "whoa" and side step to either side very easily before I do anything else. Whoa is an absolute necessity. Once they are doing that I add a single tree and a car tire and keep dragging. Then a bigger tire or a wood pallet that allows a bale for me to ride on. A cheap pasture or arena drag can be made from a piece of chain link fence and a few 2x4's. Good luck and feel free to PM me if you need help. The biggest difference is you do not have a seat and legs when you drive. You must talk to the horse. LF |
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| RNB | Feb 15 2009, 08:57 PM Post #8 |
It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Be still my heart!!! What cute little buggers!!! The ponies are cute as well!!!  I can't think of a more perfect way to spend V-day!!! |
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| NZ Loopy Lou | Feb 16 2009, 12:24 AM Post #9 |
Thomas H. Cruise!
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What a gutsy pair of ponies!!! |
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| LostFarmer | Mar 30 2009, 08:27 AM Post #10 |
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Shunnnnn the unbeliever. Shunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn.
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We had our Draft and Mule play day and spring clinic. Here are a few of the pictures. It was cold and muddy so the ponies are in the winter woolies and a little green. White ponies in the spring.... The pictures are in an indoor and you all know how hard it is to get a decent photo. C#2 with Ty is a cart class. This is the third cart hitch on Ty. He was hooked once last summer, and Friday night before this run. He has been used as a team for many miles so it is not like we through a totally green horse out there. Here is the looking pretty mode.  C#3 with Cricket in the cart. This is his first year to really be able to drive in 4-H. He has a quieter disposition and his horse feels it. He isn't as polished as older brother but in some ways a better driver.  Now for the pulling ponies. This picture was taken 2 weeks ago at one of the horse pulls. I think it is a pretty good shot showing them giving all they had to make a pull of it.  Here is Ty and Hector hooked to 2500 lbs. They pulled this a full 20 foot pull and we called it a night. No use souring them after they give a big effort.  It was a great day. We had 20 or so carts and wagons going. We had a queen contest that I had the dubious honor of judging. A log scoot that went well. We did pretty good with the grays but then there is less of them to get between the cones than the big horses. The horse pull had 19 teams not as many as some of our other pulls earlier in the winter. Calving season and people get busy. Thanks for looking, LF |
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| Trialbyfire | Mar 31 2009, 11:12 AM Post #11 |
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It'll be an adventure! We're going on an adventure!
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Oh, so awesome!! I love the last picture of the ponies pulling with all their might! They look so big up close and then the overhead shot shows that they are little guys pulling a really big load!! And so fun for your kids!! Can't wait to see more pictures!! |
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