This message is from: "Dave McWethy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Yesterday I helped a friend who is starting to drive. She has been coming over and helping me for the experience for a couple months. I really appreciate the help, but know it can't go on forever, and the next best thing is to help her get going on her own. She found a beautiful used Serafin cart, and I sold her one of the Biothane/leather harness that I make. Yesterday was the day to put it all together. Her horse is a Morgan who has some experience, though limited and in the distant past. The horse is tall and beautiful. She has used this horse for competitive distance rides, so he is pretty fit. I was impressed with how well he stood for harness fitting. As my friend has a good start in driving, I encouraged her to try first, as he was looking dependable. Things went generally well, except that he jigged down hill, unaccustomed to the pressure on his britching strap. After a spell of walking, I drove him at a walk, which went well, then her husband joined me. I wanted to trot a slow gentle trot, and it started well. Then all of a sudden he burst out like he had booster rockets. I wasn't sure for a second if we were headed for a very fast ride, and pulled him back strongly, hoping for the best. He stopped, fortunately. But after stopping, he was afraid to walk, for fear I would pull on him again. He'd try to leap into a trot, or go up and down. Trying to keep him calm, I got him back to walking, and we did that for a while, then stopped. This is a good horse, with a good foundation of training. But what a difference after driving the Fjords. He is thin skinned in every way, and ready to run when overstimulated, which is easy to do. It was thrilling to work with him, and when he is going properly, he will be terrific. At this point he is a walking hair trigger. We will continue conservatively! In the afternoon they came over and went out with me behind Signe and Mari. They did their magnificent best. We went bounding down my woods road, plunging full speed around trees, in and out of the streams, outdistancing the black flies and mosquitos. We went fast, but smooth, nothing too challenging for the mares, who are used to this sort of jaunt. I was so pleased with them. They act predictably, and always give their best effort. We all had a great time. There are undoubtedly many fine breeds of horses, but I have yet to see one I would trade my Fjords for.
