Night driving

[LStone]

Hey Guys,

I wanted to get your takes on the value to a teamster of driving in the dark. I just started a job driving for the public at night to view Christmas lights etc. This involves driving around a woods trail that the animals are very familiar with in the dark. I am not as familiar with the trail as they are by any means, nor are they my animals so I am getting used of them also.

My first impressions were “holy crap I can’t see”! I was driving black Perches with no moon and no lights my first night. Except for the lighted scenes sprawled through the woods there was no light. I know the horses can see ok in the dark but they cannot judge the tracking of the wagon etc. to get around curves corners. It was kind of eerie expecting the big bump, crash, and embarrassment that never came. I have only done it a few more evenings but I see a great value in doing this.

I am forced into developing further trust in the animals to know their way around the circuit and fine tune my contact with them through the lines both individually and as a team. Keeping each of them honest or holding back one of them in the dark is a potential challenge that I see, although I don’t think I have that with these guys. Increased navigational skills and awareness of my surroundings is another area of concern. I am recalling old night vision acquisition skills rapidly and it seems to be getting easier with every lap.

Am I off base in thinking that this type of experience is tremendously valuable and necessary towards developing my teamster skills? I think it is a rush everyone should have and when I get some time to work with mine I am going to further impress them with this type of challenge.

Thanks your your input.

[jac]

I would say its valuable but not nessissary.. I once asked my grandfather who used to retail milk off the farm in the town of Biggar with a pony and trap how he managed to see in winter time.. He reconed the pony did his seeing for him:D. He maintained that the carriage lamps were more for other road users to see HIM rather than for him to see. As you say.. its going to be a great way to sharpen youre judgments regards turns .. good luck with it . sounds a lot of fun…
John

[LStone]

The “night vision” project is improving daily or nightly as it were. It is funny how looking back it was kind of intimidating the first night but now it’s a distraction that I think I’m overcomming through familliarity. I think this commercial gig is improving me as a driver / horseman through repitition as well as diversity. I drove a bobsleigh for the first time last night. It dug in a few places but when it was good sledding it was good sledding. Pleanty of snow areound here today. I can’t wait to do it again. I wish working my own horses paid this well but they are on standby while I am making grain money.

I got a chance to work them for several hours Christmas day jingle bells and all around town. Hey who ordered up all this cold weather anyway? Oh well I got layers.

[Jay]

We do sleigh rides at by reservation, some at night. In geteral I don’t go out at night unless there is a moon or snow. With the snow I can always see, though I am working with my horses on my trails. We don’t use lights – they only let you see where the light is aimed. I’d rather be able to see everywhere. I very much enjoy the experience of night driving and agree that it is a great experience for any teamster when it can be done safely. One thing that helps me, I think is that when young, I did alot of walking at night on paths and I got used to watching the trees silouets against the stars and also for the lighter patches ahead that were openings, etc. etc. It is a neat thing to be able to do. We have some good snow now. Jay

[Rick Alger]

My trails are narrow and not always level so this may not apply to you, but just in case – One thing I have had trouble with is the sleigh sliding off track on slippery snow and nicking trees. Another thing is branches weighed down by the snow brushing horses and people.

I try to walk or drive the wood section of the trail before night rides so I can remedy these problems.

[Author]

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