couple of horsey days

 carriage horse at Coxhill Stables, Candie. took lots of photos this is the one I  like best.

 me and Hugo at Horse Agility training, on a loose hand hold, this is the third time I have played with him and he  just gets better and better.

very careful with his feet through the s-bend, doesn't knock the poles at all.

reposting..Robbie at Trec 2007.. to remember him

Robbie in his lorry on the way home
Barbara Ann drove him in a Trec event today
with Dave and I as 'grooms'
and he won these, and as its a special event, the grooms got rosettes too!

what a fabulous day that was. lovely weather and good company. Robbie reached a lovely old age of 23 and was put to sleep recently, he had a couple of old age related issues which meant he was getting unhappy in his life, his owners have the best thing for him as always through his life they did the best for him always. bless.

Transport Museum

This is the Ardrishaig Belle, a 'charabanc' meaning wagon with seats. we were told this was built around 1890 and used up till the 1950's.
as we were having a guided tour we were allowed in the basement to see stored items. unfortunatley my camera did not cope well with the low lighting so most pictures blurry. in storage was this very stoutly built small wagon.

also in the basement some interesting harness

carriage builders left their trade marks on the brass in the centreof the spoked wheels. this is from the wheel centre of the charabanc, saying 'Mitchell, Builder, Dunoon'
this is from the wheel centre of a cab, saying 'Stoneham,Bedford Street, London, N.W.'
much clearer, 'Laurie, Paisley'
and 'James Barrie, Rodney Street, Glasgow'
also 'James Barrie, Rodney Street Glasgow', this one on the hefty wagon which said John Barrie.

there was very little information about the carriages, where they came from, what they were used for, who the builders were. this is information sadly lost in time, and the museum is looking for any information if anyone has it.

Robbie goes to a show

Barbara-Ann warming Robbie up before doing her dressage test
he's a handsome boy.
this is Bruno, being remarkably unconcerned about the electric wire type fencing(its not switched on) he'll get a shock one day!

Robbie goes driving

this is Robbie's competition four wheeler Bennington, he has been at a driving centre to be brought back into training. Barbara-Ann and Dave used to do a lot of driving and competitions with him but he's quite a large beastie so they feel its better if somebody very experienced gets him over his initial 'whats this?'
Barbara-Ann gets a good smart trot from him along the road. I was standing on the back with the instructor, it was very comfortable as the cart is fully sprung and has a wide backstep, there was also a wee side bit you could sit on. And it was a lovely sunny day in the Scottish countryside, near Biggar, fab!

Smokey goes on the road again

Smokey in his full harness, ready to go out on the road with his gig for the second time, last week.
here's a drivers' eye view taken today on his third road trip, Rosemary driving.
click here to see video

and we're off ! !

this is from 2 weeks ago, the first time Smokey was ever 'driven' in his cart. he is not totally attached here, just in case so he can be 'got out' quickly. there is an extra pair of stirrup leathers floating around in the harness there.
this is Rosemary driving him on Sunday, their 2nd drive. he is all harnessed up here. I think it just needs trace carriers and thats it. he will need to learn to take the weight of the cart on his back legs for going down hill and to walk backwards in case we ever need to do a three point turn.

introducing

Barbara-Ann, driving Teddy in her 'new' exercise cart. I ride Teddy for them during the week. It was a bit wild and windy today so just a short try of the cart, its a bit low but is fine for getting out and about.
Dave on Robbie, who is just coming back into work after being off for three months. This is his first ten minute walk, and I will be starting to long rein him mid-week.
Robbie, being handsome.

1 - 2 - 3 - go

1. Accustom horse to all parts of the harness and let him know what the gig looks and feels like.

2. Attach gig to horse and walk off calmly.

3. All still calm after 20 minutes of walking and turning. End session with a polo mint.

This is Smokey's first ever hitch up to a cart. Not just as easy as 1,2,3 - his owner Rosemary has been long-reining and working with him to get him used to harness and pulling tyres. I think she's done a brilliant job.
Well done Rosemary and Smokey! Whoopee!!

horses and harness

Jean and Rosie, driving along with Samba

I went off to Dumfriesshire for a refresher driving lesson on Tuesday. I actually managed to persuade my daughter Rosie to come with us! She makes a marvellous horse brusher, but isn't overly keen and this is probably enough 'to do with horses' to last her for a few years. Jean is very expert and shows and competes her ponys regularly.

After driving Samba part of my refresher lesson was taking his harness and fitting it to a smaller pony, Teddy, who is just the nicest wee pony. I am frowning quite seriously in this photograph, trying to dredge information from the dark recesses of my brain while Jean looks on.

I'm glad I had the lesson, I had offered to help with Smokey today, and although this is what I used to do both with my own pony and as a job it's been a few years. It was lovely to meet Smokey and his mum, we long-reined him along the road and back, he's a super horse and I hope to go and see them again soon. The folks at work were quite surprised when I said 'driving lesson' that I meant 'of horse' and not 'of car'.