Sorry for entering this thread late. I think the concept of stopping the horses when everything is going just right is one of the hardest things for new teamsters to learn. By stopping them when they are doing well or exactly what you want, (including choosing a place that gives them a good starting place next time) – is positive reinforecement or using whoa as a reward. It has been said the the greatest reward for any beast of burden is cessation of demand. They will try hard when the think they can do it and get clear signals from the driver. It takes a stout team to move weight like these loads and a good hand to give the signals to start and stay on the load. They must be built up to this level of performance, it doesn’t happen by accident. Great efforts by great horseman and great horses.
I have to comment that the comrodiary among the participants is deep and meaningful, even a moving emotional experience as expressed by Scott G. I experienced the same thing a couple of weeks ago when Simon Lenihan visited for a week here in Virginia and we toured the region checking in on several of the HHFF practitioners. So much in common regardless of location and we all should benefit from knowing we are not alone out here in the woods with our horses, although that is exactly where most of us want to be. Paradox, yet inspirational. LIF is indeed one of those experiences and I would love to be there some day if invited again. Great job, perpetuating the culture as only the real thing can do. Kudos to all of you.
Sorry, I have new computer here and don’t have spell check working yet, although everything new is supposed to be better….
Carry on good folks, please also excuse my repeating myself, seems to happen with age…
Best Regards,
.
