hobbyhorse23
Well-Known Member
The weather's been terrible (rain, rain, and more rain!) and since both boys have been spending 90% of their time totally soaked and I seem to be working the other 10%, we haven't gotten much done on the driving front. It is definitely spring here though with the cherry trees blossoming, flowers starting to open and both horses bouncing off the walls!
Fur has been flying for over a month and both boys have lost all the guard hairs on their chests and upper legs so each day their legs look longer as their outlines change.
Now they look more like Welsh Cobs instead of yaks.
I took the kids for the first outing of the year to the NWMHC clinic and schooling show on March 18-20th (see thread at NWMHC schooling show) and both were on the muscle and raring to go. Since we've been home I've done the first minimal spring clipping (got rid of the beards, mohawks and took a strip down the bottom of their necks), started some cavaletti work and taken them for walks together. I've been greatly amused to note they are starting to match strides as soon as they're on either side of me and they've graduated to being allowed to trot since they can now do so without trying to kill me. Heck, they got out ahead of me yesterday and actually trotted side-by-side without trying to kick, bite, body-slam or mount each other!
It's a miracle! *LOL*
I can't wait for the weather to clear up as both horses are more than ready to get back into full training. Both are still much more focused on being with Mom than with the other horse but they are beginning to work amicably together and Turbo is starting to act like a real grownup with an attention-span and everything.
I don't think I'm out of line in speculating I might be able to start working them as a pair by this fall. Turbo will need lots of work as a single to learn to use his body, but I think by then the safety pieces and the ability to concentrate despite having the other horse beside them will be in place and I can drive them together recreationally. I can't believe I've had Turbo almost two years already!
How is everyone else coming in their training? It's spring! Time to start seeing pictures of those green horses working towards driving.
Leia
I took the kids for the first outing of the year to the NWMHC clinic and schooling show on March 18-20th (see thread at NWMHC schooling show) and both were on the muscle and raring to go. Since we've been home I've done the first minimal spring clipping (got rid of the beards, mohawks and took a strip down the bottom of their necks), started some cavaletti work and taken them for walks together. I've been greatly amused to note they are starting to match strides as soon as they're on either side of me and they've graduated to being allowed to trot since they can now do so without trying to kill me. Heck, they got out ahead of me yesterday and actually trotted side-by-side without trying to kick, bite, body-slam or mount each other!
I can't wait for the weather to clear up as both horses are more than ready to get back into full training. Both are still much more focused on being with Mom than with the other horse but they are beginning to work amicably together and Turbo is starting to act like a real grownup with an attention-span and everything.
How is everyone else coming in their training? It's spring! Time to start seeing pictures of those green horses working towards driving.
Leia