I thought we were progressing really well, but we took 2 steps back last week. Of course, cows were the cause. I had never come across cattle on this particular road, but there they were next to the fence. We have had stormy weather, and there was lots of traffic with "fire chasers" out looking at damage. I just couldn't work through the cow-thing with the traffic. I am a strong woman, and luckily was wearing my driving gloves, or it could have been a disaster. Had to get out and ground drive. When he reared up, I pushed him forward with the cart and I believe that kept him from going over backward. It was a looonnnggg 1 mile home. I could not lead him by the bridle as he kept trying to bolt. Couldn't get my halter out of my little tool box as I couldn't take my hands off the reins, but I don't think I could have led him anyway. Ground driving was the only way. As we got close to home, I did get in the cart and we returned in a calm, collected way so we ended on a positive note. He stood quietly to be unharnessed, then I left him tied a little while longer until he was totally calm.
He was truly afraid of the cows. They just stood there, big silly PREY and he was scared out of his wits.
I think we will go back to ground driving a time or two and see how things go. I cannot predict when we will see cows, but at this point I think I will turn around and go the other direction if we see them again.
I will try to get someone to drive my other horse with us next time he is hitched, and if he sees Dapper Dan going fearlessly past the cows perhaps he will see they are not a threat.
Another weird thing: it seemed obvious that I was having trouble controlling him and these gawking drivers kept wanting me to stop and chat!
I'm sure others have felt they were going backward instead of forward while training. Just have to keep persevering.
He was truly afraid of the cows. They just stood there, big silly PREY and he was scared out of his wits.
I think we will go back to ground driving a time or two and see how things go. I cannot predict when we will see cows, but at this point I think I will turn around and go the other direction if we see them again.
I will try to get someone to drive my other horse with us next time he is hitched, and if he sees Dapper Dan going fearlessly past the cows perhaps he will see they are not a threat.
Another weird thing: it seemed obvious that I was having trouble controlling him and these gawking drivers kept wanting me to stop and chat!
I'm sure others have felt they were going backward instead of forward while training. Just have to keep persevering.