11.18.08
Singles training in neighborhood
Though the boys have been doing great as a pair, we must not neglect their singles training, especially Glendale’s because he is less experienced. There are things you can practice driving a single horse that become much more difficult to do with a pair, where you sacrifice some of the finer-tuned control over each individual horse.
Driving practicing in the elementary school parking lot.
With just one horse put to the carriage, we practice impulsion, steering, gait transitions, response to cues, standing, and just putting mileage on each boy; going out alone builds Glen’s confidence and shows him he can be OK without his big brother beside him. (This was in September.)
Glen stops in Gilford village to chat with a friend who knew him as a foal!
Meeting neighbors and another friend on a nearby street…
Glen is so lovable and friendly!
This video shows several different training experiences. Glen practices standing hitched to the carriage (showing a lot of patience for a youngster,) although he attempts to walk forward a couple of times (the brakes squeak) then he tries to back up instead, at which point Hubby asks him to moves on out. (Backing up without being asked is highly undesirable!)
Glen trots on for a while, then he speeds up on his own due to hearing a dog following us on the street (watch his ears turn towards the rear when he hears the dog, and his trot tempo increases.) Towards end of the video he suddenly shies sideways away from a manhole cover (potentially dangerous, as he goes right across the yellow line– fortunately no car was passing us at that moment.) This is typical green horse behavior, keeping the driver on his toes. It also illustrates why automobile drivers should pass animals with great caution and give them a wide berth!
