Sleigh runners on the forecart

[Jean]

Hi, I just came in from hooking Kruiser to my forecart with runners on it. This is not the first time we have gone out in it, but this time it was very hard pulling.

The runners did not seem to glide at all. Kruiser was working very hard and I would let him stop to catch his breath. Every time I asked him to move on he did with out hesitation.

My question is, is it ok to let him stop and catch his breath or should I make him move on until I ask him to stop?

He really was breathing very hard and it is uphill to get back to the barn. There is no trail, he was breaking the snow.

Jean

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Jean, Letting him stop once is not the end of the world. You wish it hadn’t worked out that way but it did. Say the word whoa, then evaluate your situation. One of two things just happened; either he stopped before he needed to, in which case the next time he tries it you will want to be prepared to make him keep going, or you needed to stop him before now and you will want to be more careful to stop when it is needed in the future. Either way it comes back to us. I don’t think we want to make a habit of letting the horse decide when to stop. It can be difficult sometimes to tell when a horse is really working hard versus just getting up a sweat. Don’t be afraid to stop and check it out. It sounds like fun and it keeps him in harness during the winter. That is the best way to get ready for spring. Donn

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