Herd Bound?

[HeeHawHaven]

We took Duke, our new fjord driving horse, out on a wagon ride on Sunday. It was our first time working him from start to finish on our own.

Overall, it was a successful drive. We harnessed him up. Tracy ground drove him in the arena for a while. He was a little squirrelly at first, but got better quickly. She practiced backing him between two poles in the arena so she’d be ready to back him into the shafts.

She backed him into the shafts, we hooked him up and off we went down our road.

He was a little excited at first, but did well. As we got farther from home, he started calling out to his new buddies. We just kept him moving and he kept going.

He did fine while moving, but was anxious when we stopped. He wouldn’t stay still and would kind of jack-knife the wagon if we didn’t keep him moving. We were able to keep him moving away from home.

We took him about 1 1/2 miles up the road and turned around and came back. By the time we got closer to home, he was able to stand still better when stopped.

We took him past the house and down the road the other way another mile before turning around again and coming back.

He did fine, but he did call out to the herd on many occcasions.

Duke was kept by an old-timer who only had Duke. Recently, the old-timer was not able to use him much because of bad arthritis. I don’t think Duke ever had buddies with him.

When we got him 3 weeks ago, we kept him in a pen where the mules/donkeys could visit with him, but not be in with him. We’ve let them out together a few times in the arena for “getting to know you” sessions.

Duke is a very broke driving horse. He’s seen bridges, hogs, tarps, water, ice, etc…. and does fine. I think he’s dealing with leaving his new home and buddies when we take him out.

Our plan is to try and drive him 3 times a week off our property. We believe he’ll get used to the fact that he has to work and that he’ll be back home with the others when done. I don’t suspect he’ll get any more dramatic than he’s already shown as long as we use him enough. I also think we did the right thing by keeping him moving when he started to get antsy about being away. We also took him up a substantial hill to kind of wear him out and sidetrack his thoughts.

Does this sound about right? Any other thoughts or suggestions?

Thanks,

Dave

[jen judkins]

Dave, I was told by a great mentor some years ago….’Concentrate on what’s working and not on what isn’t’. Sounds like you have alot of good stuff working with Duke. I wouldn’t concentrate too much on the other stuff. Sounds like you handled the situation just right.

[Ed Thayer]

This sounds like the behavior our Haflinger expresses when we put him on the forecart.

I will be interested in reading the other responses.

[Carl Russell]

jenjudkins;5803 wrote:

Dave, I was told by a great mentor some years ago….’Concentrate on what’s working and not on what isn’t’. Sounds like you have alot of good stuff working with Duke. I wouldn’t concentrate too much on the other stuff. Sounds like you handled the situation just right.

Why would you need another response?

Carl

[Ed Thayer]

I harnessed up our Haflinger this afternoon and ground drove him. Took him up the road and watched carefully for his response when our mare started in.

He was surely interested in what she was saying, but I stayed the course and kept him going straight. He tried to turn back to the barn but I would not have it. Finally got out of earshot of the other horse and he was a perfect gentlemen.

On the way back to the barn he wanted to turn in and head for the paddock but I gently tugged the lines and we headed past the house and down the road in the other direction.

We came back and headed for the barn and he did fine. He stood still the entire time I harnessed and unharnessed him and I called it a day. I was very pleased with our session.

[Donn Hewes]

Ed, It sounds great. Let him think what he wants, then remind him he is still working for you and go on. No big deal! I probably shouldn’t but sometimes I can’t resist – I whinny louder than anyone else. Makes us all feel silly!

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