Forum Replies Created
- AuthorPosts
Michael Colby
ParticipantOops, now I see that you posted that already. I’m not sure when I’ll be out your way but I’m very interested in your mowers.
ParticipantWhere are you located?
ParticipantI’ll join the chorus of those agreeing with Carl. I, too, did the parade thing — once. And it was all I needed to know that it wasn’t for me or my horses. They behaved just fine and there were no issues but it felt like we were way out of balance communication-wise the entire time. Some people like it though. And it is a good way to show people the beauty and talent of our equine partners. Instead of parades, I frequently give rides on our town green — especially when I’m prepping/conditioning for sleigh season. Good luck with whatever decision you come to. It sounds like you’ve got a real nice team in the works. Congrats.
ParticipantWow. Nice work. But now I’ve got a serious case of barn envy.
ParticipantCongrats. There’s no better feeling than returning to the barn after a successful day. Well, except returning to the barn after a successful day with a new team.
I’m taking my new mare to her first logging job this week, where she’ll be hooked with my steady gelding, Big Jim. I hope it goes as well as your first adventure.
ParticipantCarl, I like your use of the “conversation” metaphor, especially from the angle of trying to move away from simply calling it “testing.” I like to think of it as a dance, since there is a whole lot more than verbal communication going on.
Tyler, it sounds like you’re well on your way. I’m confident you and Coconut will be dancing smoothly soon.
ParticipantHey Tyler. All the advice above is great — and I hope most of it sounds familiar from our workshops. I’d be happy to continue to work with you and repeat my mantra: go slow and get help.
Coconut is a great horse and is doing what all horses do: testing you. But you need to develop the confidence necessary to give her confidence.
You should know about the challenges involved in this process from witnessing my relationship with Coconut’s replacement, Marley. As you know, we began with broken halters and mountains of frustration but…we’ve come a long way. Much of it is simply having the experience of knowing that the challenges will be coming and how to break through them. And then, of course, also knowing that there will always be new challenges tomorrow.
You and Coconut have embarked on a difficult voyage: You’re a beginner and she’s alone. It’s not an impossible voyage but one that would be greatly helped by…well…help.
With this site, you’ve come to the right place. But you also need to keep seeking hands-on experience and the ability to witness the delicate — and hopefully elegant — dance between horse and horseman/woman.
ParticipantEfficient firewood handling? Listen to the Red Sox beat the Yankees while splitting wood.
ParticipantNicely put, Carl. And it hit home with me as I continue my recently-started journey with my new mare. I’ve had to constantly remind myself that taking a step back after two steps forward is not only okay but required for the relationship we’re building. But it takes a lot of patience and a lot of counting to ten or walking away when the communication starts getting wacky. Hmm, kind of like marriage….
ParticipantI have yet to find a good collar cheap. But I get mine through Meader Supply (1-800-4HORSES). No complaints.
ParticipantI switched to adjustable collars in order to solve my horses’ seasonal neck changes. It gives you three inches to play with. The biggest drawback is that there is no clasp on the top, thus limiting your options for putting the collars on (the horse must be able/willing to stick its head through it). And they are also a bit more expensive.
ParticipantThe mare is sold. Thanks for your inquiries.
ParticipantTwo things come to my mind immediately: First, have you tried the offending horse on both sides of the pole? If it’s not that simple (hardly ever is), try giving them some good challenging work — something they’ve really got to get into their collars with. Warm them up without the pole and then hook them to whatever you have with a pole and some weight. My guess is that the monkey business will end pretty quickly.
ParticipantHere’s my attempt to upload photos of Coconut, my 9 YO Percheron for sale. She’s working the single-horse sleigh here but was also used on the team sleigh throughout the season.
[ATTACH][ATTACH]1693.jpg” />.jpg” />
ParticipantI see many red flags in this ad. First, they call the mare a “gentle, broke” mare but then admit to doing next to nothing with her. Sorry, but you can’t call a horse gentle and broke just because it comes “all happy to you” at the gate. It’s also a bit concerning that they go back and forth about knowing little about the horse but then trying to assure you about her health. Again, can’t have it both ways. These folks may well be good intentioned but it doesn’t seem like they know what they’re talking about.
If they can’t put a harness on this horse in your presence and drive it, it’s not gentle and broke. And your friend should know this. But if your friend wants to roll the dice with what sounds like a project horse, go for it.
I’ve seen too many people’s draft horse dreams get unnecessarily wrecked by first purchases like this. My advice is always the same: The first step in the draft horse dream should never be the purchase of a draft horse. Instead, your first step should be to find a draft person you trust to help teach you about draft horses. It saves money, time and injury.
That’s my two cents.
- AuthorPosts