Long reined a pair today - first time!

[pennyturner]

I'm trying to get together everything I need to drive a couple of my ponies together as a pair. Today I strapped Buster and Bobby together with a coupling strap, and (all by myself - what could go wrong?) long reined them together in pair reins.

After a shaky start (difficult to get them to walk off together out of the yard in a straight line without a groom!), they went off beautifully. There was a lovely moment where I asked both ponies for trot. They both struck off on the button looking quite surprised that the other one understood the same voice command. It's quite something jogging down the road behind two lively trotting ponies.

It seems very odd having the coupling reins, so not being able to independently guide, or feel the mouth of each horse - I think they were being kind to me as there were definitely times when one of them was behind the rein, and I was steering the off-side horse, who just barged his slow friend over, as if to say 'come on, get with the programme'.

Can't wait to get them in a vehicle.

 

[D66]

Respect……..

 

[Penumbra]

Oh wow, sounds like it went really well! Clever ponies!

 

[Spot_On]

Well done! Sounds like a successful day today

 

[Tiddlypom]

That's fantastic! I was feeling pretty pleased that I can long line one at a time! I would never even attempt two! And without a helper! Impressed.

 

[dollyanna]

I can't wait to be doing this with my two, but it will be a while, they still have a bit of growing to do first!! Have you driven pairs before or was this your first time with pairs reins altogether? I love pairs, I love the feel of negotiating with 2 individual minds at the same time, and the feel when it all comes together is just amazing Would love to hear how you get on in the coming months!! And maybe a photo... :-D

 

[pennyturner]

I can't wait to be doing this with my two, but it will be a while, they still have a bit of growing to do first!! Have you driven pairs before or was this your first time with pairs reins altogether? I love pairs, I love the feel of negotiating with 2 individual minds at the same time, and the feel when it all comes together is just amazing Would love to hear how you get on in the coming months!! And maybe a photo... :-D

Hi Dollyanna.
I've driven singles for 15 years, but never a pair, so this was my first experiment. I'm on a shoestring, so I'm cobbling together something that will do the job of pair harness from two sets of singles, making bits and improvising at first. Is there a carriage driver out there who hasn't used bailing twine at some point?

The 2 minds thing felt really odd yesterday. Anything done to one affects the other, although they do know their names, and Bobby quickly got used to me chivying Buster along for lagging. They seemed to take cues from each other, as well as from me. There would be one who had 'got' the turn first, and the other would suddenly notice (either being pushed over, or just seeing his friend start to bend), and correct himself really quickly. Not sure it would have gone quite so well without such bright ponies.

Highlight was pulling over to the left between some parked cars to allow traffic to pass. Nice turn, perfect straight halt, no fidgeting, and a clean start of again. Loved it!