This weekend we are doing horse driving camp at the place we take riding lessons. It was tons o' fun today, with some drama thrown in.
This is our Fjord horse Sandy being a very good girl. Let's just say that at the end of the day, I gave her a new nickname: Satan.
Harnessing is fun. I didn't know what to do with the bit I was holding here.
We finally got everyone hooked up, though!
Sandy was driving like a dream.
Oh yeah, tons of fun.
Then we hooked her up to the two wheel cart...
Aaand we all went outside!
Things were going just fine...
See how happy we are? Then Sandy spooked, spooked again, and took off. Then she kicked back at the cart and freaked even more.
After maybe a minute of us careening around the field, the cart finally turned over and out we went. The funniest part was that I had my iPhone in one had and refused to let go of it! It was still in my hand when we hit the ground.
We're fine and so is Sandy, but the cart will need some repairs...
The spokes exploded!
And there was some bent metal.
After our instructors finally caught Sandy, they wanted to work her a bit more in the field with a little sled thing. But she took off again, into the woods!
The horses back at the farm were all staring, wondering who the crazy horse was!
Rose caught her and walked her back...
... and then she got driven inside for another half an hour until she smartened up. More training to come! We're fine if a bit muddy, and the cart can be fixed. Sandy just got spooked and we couldn't stop her.
Tomorrow we're going back for more! There will be a team of Shire horses to drive and a team of miniature horses, plus we'll do more work with Sandy. I can't wait! Glutton for punishment...
Last night, I had a great riding lesson with my horse Roo...
We both got pretty sweaty! That's my new-to-me saddle. It is SO comfortable.
Hope you are all having a good weekend that is less eventful than ours was today! :)
Mostly driving is a lot of fun. It is also a lot of work and practice. Wait until you try driving a team. Lots of time practicing and desensitizing (why I love police horses) and more time in different situations. I have also seen some nasty accidents. Be careful out there, but have fun!
ReplyDeleteGood you mentioned the saddle as i noticed it was pretty fancy. Horses that are spooked are pretty scary.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a small boy I used to drive a two wheeled pony and trap around our village. Many years later I drove one here when a friend turned up in a gypsy caravan, his horse and our trap teamed up perfectly.
ReplyDeleteSounds like what all I went through with our horses when I was younger . Glad all are ok though . I guess Sandy needs more training but she will get there . Lovely photos looks like all had quiet the experience though ! Thanks for sharing , Have a good day !
ReplyDeleteNot sure I'd be any good at horseback riding, but the cart (except for the part where you get tumped on the ground) looks like loads of fun.
ReplyDeleteWhat a delightful new thing to learn!
Thank goodness no one got hurt!! I love that row of horses lined up in the field watching :-)
ReplyDeleteGlad everyone is okay!
ReplyDeleteI am with Sandy. I know I would kick and try to run away if you hooked me up to harness and started telling me what to do. Go Sandy.
ReplyDeleteOh, poor Satan-dy -- and you! But at least the iPhone is OK. This looks like amazing fun... except for being tossed in the mud.
ReplyDeleteYikes! I suppose the wild ride was good for a laugh … later when everyone was okay, but that must have been quite scary. "Satan" looks like a great horse though. Gorgeous girl. Hopefully she'll calm down with a little training. Any idea what spooked her? Be safe out there!
ReplyDeleteThat must have been scary! Very glad that everyone is ok. Sure look like lots of fun.
ReplyDeletewell it is too bad she became spooked.. because that looked like it was fun.. up until it wasn't
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