the drive

Did I ever mention I have some awesome people in my life?

After yesterdays big fiasco, I had someone to pull me out of my pity party and another person offer to help me. So I drove myself down to Ohio and got some drive time with Beth and Art.

Art is a punk rocker! And Beth rocks!!

The first thing you must know about Ohio (and I really apologize), is that people from Ohio cannot drive a car. They are terrible drivers! Since I live pretty close to the Ohio border, I see a lot of drivers form Ohio. They will be the people going 50 mph in the fast lane (where everyone knows you go at least 80 mph in that lane). The second thing about Ohio that you must know is that it is boring. That being said, most of my experience with Ohio has been driving through it on I-75 to get to Florida or somewhere. 

I totally take back the second thing about Ohio! Sorry, Ohio-ans are still slow drivers, but Ohio is actually really nice! Just not on I-75. I first noticed Ohio being pretty is when we started going to Harry Hughes. They had some really beautiful "up north" trees. But my trip today really solidified how nice Ohio actually is. 

Beth's place was amazing! She had a pond, trails through the woods, and four funny Haflingers. I mentioned to her how I would never get anything done with four Haflingers on my property and she pointed to her house. The front window faces the paddock where the Haffies are and Bath said her chair was positioned so she could watch them! How awesome!

Beth got Art out and put his harness on him to drive. Funny how Art was the only one that did not mob us as we entered the paddock. The other three wanted lots of love! Watching Beth hook and set Art up made me realize that me and Shy still have some things to work on. Art cam move completely sideways, which turns the cart on its wheels, without moving forward. Shy always wants to move forward when doing this. And Art can stand perfectly still when he is all hooked up. 

We both got in the cart and Beth started driving Art all over the property. Art was forward and wanted to go, but he listened great and had an amazing stop. What a good pony! If you have never ridden in a cart before, it is a different feeling. Sometimes the first step is more of a lurch forward. . .this is where my body tightens up, which can be transferred through the lines to the horse. Because I do not have a lot of experience driving in carts, my body is still not accustomed to that feeling, so I tense. It is kind of like the first couple times riding a bike or rollerblading, or doing anything new where your body is moving in ways it is not used to moving. . .make sense? I am sure after a few  drives, I will loosen up from the get-go and be fine. Plus, driving with the big horses is different from the Haflingers.

After a while (and after I had loosened up and relaxed), Beth handed me the lines. Art seemed to know there was a transfer there and was very kind to me when I was driving him. He did not pick up speed when heading in the direction of the barn. He was so good. So good. I walked him all around the property. Then, Beth told me to ask Art for the trot. And I did. And Art was a super star! I really wish I got some photos, but I was so busy learning. And I learned a ton. 

I am so very grateful for Beth taking her Saturday to give me some instruction and let me drive Art. I needed that. And its cool that Art has a poofy, short forelock like Shyloh.