06.16.08
Driving training on woods roads
Glen has been coming along quite nicely in his driving training. His most challenging outing was a recent road trip past a sheep farm (he was very leery of going by!) and then driving on some woods trails. Even though the sheep weren’t in evidence, a horse can smell them from half a mile away and start getting balky and jumpy. He was solo (no backup horse along), Hubby drove him and I mostly walked for the exercise and support if needed.
The woods trails were about the width of a logging road, but rough in places and lots of uphills and downs. They were a bit overgrown, so Glen got poked in his sides and back by overhanging branches. Also good practice for the driving horse. It helps that our horses have woods at home to wander around in, so they get used to that sort of thing, also woods noises.
A couple of times Hubby came to small logs or trees across the trail and just drove Glendale on over them. I was holding my breath but the horse didn’t miss a beat while the rubber cart tires jigged and jogged over the logs! Returning past the sheep farm he was a little more willing to go forward towards home. We probably drove two miles out, four total.
(Unfortunately we got a flat tire on the training cart shortly after this jaunt… so I guess rolling over logs isn’t maybe the best idea!)
