Snappy is the coolest little guy you could ever own. The horse does everything. Today we introduced him to pulling a sled. He is trained to drive but pulling a sled is different in the noise it makes, the way it pulls on him. He tends to be a hot little stinker so I always stay on high alert but he did super. You can see in the first video he got a little too excited and had a little rodeo moment...lol. Notice I made the kids wear their helmets. By the time we were done he was pooped.
It was a bit trial and error trying to find the best way. To introduce him I led him. Then after running for 20 minutes and being wiped out I decide to give the driving method a whirl. It worked great. My husband only got me driving alone but after making sure it would work I took the kids on the sled with me. It was blast! I have always disliked my driving lines(what drivers call reins) but now I now they are way too short for sled jouring.
Not your average OTTB given another chance at a new life and a mostly average busy Mom who never gave up on her dream to ride again. An unlikely pair at an unlikely time, learning to event and loving life!
Hey i gave your blog an award! check it out on my blog :D
ReplyDeleteI am so jealous that looks like it was so much fun! Your girls are adorable as well!!
ReplyDeleteThat looks like a blast! Of course now all the snow is melting. figures.
ReplyDeleteSo cute!
ReplyDeleteVery Cute!!! I do that with Bonnie too - but I ride her western and have the kids in a sled behind us. Sled line is wrapped on the horn. Kids would set up "snow jumps" in the field since Bonnie jumps. Nothing like galloping across a field with a kid laughing and screaming behind you.
ReplyDeleteAs for driving like that - I think I would use two lines off the surcingle - one on each side like a cart. On and longer lines LOL you're a bit too close to those feets!
Ok, that is hilarious. The short lines make it even funnier looking. Definitely invest in some longer ones for safety! I was thinking "please don't kick her in the face, please don't kick her in the face..."
ReplyDeleteDH thank you for the award and the compliments on my kiddos!
ReplyDeleteKaren I know it is crazy. Yesterday we were playing in the snow and at noon today it felt like spring. And now at 5pm it is freezing again. Weirdest winter EVER!!!
Thanks Dom!
Jeni I may try it out with Moonlight if we ever see snow again this winter. I am sure it would be a blast. I just love to find a job for the Mini's. Especially Snappy cause LOVES to work.
e79- It does look like I am closer to his feet than I really am. There was never a point were he could reach me if he wanted to. But I torcher that little guy so much and push him and push him and I have never found a mean or spiteful bone in his body. In all the things I have done behind him and to him he has never kicked. Bite maybe, kick never. But yes different driving lines are definitely on the list.
Thanks for reading and commenting guys! I always look forward to reading your comments!
you're braver than I am! All I could think was oh my gosh, he could get that rope wrapped around his leg, freak out, run through that fence and drag her daughter into a speeding car, but then again my husband says I'm a fun killer with the scenarios of doom that run through my head whenever my children are involved.
ReplyDeleteWhat a good mini he is.
LOL at your scenarios of doom! I tend to try to run all possible bad scenarios through my head to. But I am more of a tell them how to get out of a situation safely rather than not do it. Like how I drill my daughter on every trail ride on "what do you do if's?" And this day they got the speech on how to proper bail if Mommy yells, bail. Which my eight year old replied, "Mom, I know how to bail." Lol, I taught her well.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness that looks like so much fun!!! Now I want to go buy a sled lol. I'm actually looking forward to some snow if we get some. :D
ReplyDeleteIt is a blast and I am wondering if that is the closest we are going to come to snow this year and now it is all gone.
ReplyDelete