Thursday, January 31, 2013

more homework

Let's get this out of the way first. . .

I GOT MY CART!!


Of course, it came after weeks of snowy and icy conditions and arrived on a rainy day when there were puddles (small lakes) everywhere. And it came on a Monday, which is hard for me because I usually can't make it to the barn during the week right now. Not that it mattered, rain, rain, and more rain was in the forecast for the week followed up by cold, ice, and snow. 

Since I was not able to have fun with my cart, I made this to see what Shy would look like. . .

Cute, right? Along with my cart came some new homework from Becky.

We completed all the homework she previously gave me for Shyloh which included keep on line driving, work on contact, practice with obstacles, PVC shafts, driving whip, singing when nervous, and get a cart. "A+" for homework!

The new homework is as follows:
1. Get holdbacks on the cart where they belong. Holdbacks act as a brake so the cart does not ride up on the horse.
2. Make sure everything fits properly.
3. Get a header! (This is hard for me since it is only me at the barn.)
4. Do more tire dragging, then introduce the cart (like we did when Becky came with her cart).
5. Walk her around at the head with the cart attached (this one I came up with on my own).
6. Ground drive her from behind the cart. Work on whoa, stand, gee, haw, back up, and walk on.
7. Do the first few session in the arena.
8. Finally get in the cart. A header is a must!

Seems like a lot of homework, but it really isn't. It is important to lay a good solid foundation for Shy so once we get to Step 7, everything runs smoothly. I won't be in the cart for a few weeks to a month is my guess, just to be safe. But I am okay with that. 

I am pretty excited to get started with this homework!

7 comments:

  1. I know this is hard for you too. But my friends also hand walked their horse like they're hooked to cart, but they're not. Then have another person walk behind holding cart by shafts and follow horse too as close as possible. It works best with 3 people. One with horse. 1 person with each shaft. This way if horse is really bothered??? The horse is not with cart yet. Maybe fiend party at the barn on Saturday!! Have fun!

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  2. So excited for you! Hope you can find a willing header!

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  3. Wow, soooo excited for you! I sure hope the weather cooperates with your homework. You've been doing so awesome.

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  4. Aww yay!! I'm so glad you finally got it, you are going to have a lot of fun. Also good luck with your homework I already know you guys will kill it ;)

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  5. What a pretty cart. I'm excited for you and Shyloh! I can't wait to see how you guys progress.

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  6. This is sooooo exciting! Can't wait to hear about the next adventures :-)

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  7. So exciting!!!! Can't wait to see you tootaling around.

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