A pair.... FINALLY!!! - UPDATED with Pictures

[Ashemont]

I am SO excited! Maggie is finally paired and it's lovely! No... I didn't get the 3 year old for a salt and pepper pair. I do listen to sage advice, Thom, and opted out of that. So I've just been furthering Maggie's and my training. And then, my friend and neighbor mentioned that she'd like to find Mollie a job.

Mollie is a 16 year old former Hackney (she's now half of a Polish Driving Pony pair! :winkgrin:) who has been teaching local ponies to drive correctly for years. Bill Long says she's the best leader pony anyone could ask for. In the process Mollie has done it all - pairs, teams, pleasure, CDEs, etc. The fact that she's the same color, almost the same size, has the same carriage and movement as Maggie heightened my interest. After a bit of discussion it was decided that I'd bring Mollie over to meet Maggie and we'd see how things went.

Mollie has been living with us for over a week and although she's the boss the two girls get along fine. There has not been so much as a single kick or squeal :) I drove both of the ponies singly yesterday and they were like mirror images - Mollie is softer to the left, Maggie to the right. Both are forward and have a great work ethic.

So today we took them to Bill to try them together. They loaded and rode quietly, hitched calmly, and headed out eagerly with Bill at the reins. Maggie wasn't sure about the pole and kept trying to look at it. She soon relaxed about it and we had a lovely drive. Came back to the dressage arena and my friend took the reins so Bill could watch. He was amazed. Said it was the easiest pair he's ever put together :D

Then it was my turn. I must confess to some butterflies in my stomach as I took the reins. But I needn't have worried. It was pure heaven! They were SO light and responsive. My friend then got off to watch and she and Bill were very enthusiastic as the ponies matched each other stride for stride.

I've got a PAIR!!!! And a fancy one at that :yes:

Here are a couple of photos of Mollie taken at a CDE last year... she's the one on the left :)

[goodhors]

Geeze Pat, that "more power" stuff is addicting!!

What a find, a great match, right in the neighborhood. The time you have put on Maggie this last year, is what made it so easy. Even the best trained partner, can only work with what they are harnessed with. Sounds like each partner is really doing their share, understands the requests, which comes from good basics. Nice job on YOUR part!!

We change sides each use, after the first few hitchings. You want them both to learn and use their poor sides, develop them as much as possible. So they have a favorite-side day, and then a poor-side day and back again. They won't improve if you don't work the poor side. We do use their good sides for the competitions.

We find they can change "how" they work and respond, depending on the side they are on. So you work with the single personality, then the two personalities you get from being on the good side or poor side. Husband says Pair to Multiples, is like being the Dr with multiple personality patient! Or a marriage counseler, sweet talking them into trying their best, even if they DON'T like being on the left or beside "HER" today.

Do your reins have the 11 hole adjustment at the coupling? You have a lot more ability to finesse them with the 11 holes than the more common reins with less hole numbers. 11 holes is for the Achenbach system of Pairs driving, measured precisely on the rein length, so you can change the adjustments from the driver's seat without buckle being in your way. You might want to pick up The Complete Riding and Driving System, Book 5, Driving, by the German National Equestrian Federation. Might be able to get if from the ADS or Carriage Association. Might find it used on Ebay or one of the book sellers.

It covers the Achenbach system, plus lots of information on Pairs and Multiples driving the German way. Good drawings and photos. It is paperback. Mine says $21.95, but you might find it cheaper. We just thought it was a lot of information, clear details, especially on the Achenbach stuff.

Will you be using the Batmobile with a pole? The thick pipe insulation wrapped in duct tape, makes a good pad. You want soft when the horses bump it. Not hiding from pole contact. I am sure Bill has good ideas for setting up the Pair vehicle.

This is fun information, very glad you found such a nice match to go out and play with!!

[Ashemont]

Thank you for the good advice. Surprisingly each pony bent better to their 'bad' side when driven together. Mollie has ALWAYS been on the left but what you suggest just makes good sense. Bill would actually like to see Mollie on the right as she is the bigger of the two. While we're all getting used to each other I think we'll stay put, but once we get going I'll be mindful of switching them ;)

Nope. Not going to use the Batmobile. At under 300 lbs. I've been advised that it's really too light for as much power as these two particular ponies have... and that was from Bob Cook himself :) Bill is currently refinishing a Jeff Day that he thinks will be perfect for them, so we'll see. However he's never steered us wrong so if he says that's the vehicle then we'll probably go for it. And it appears to be a good all-around carriage.

Thanks to the CD-L list I've already got a lovely Yonni pair harness on the way. It's used but in excellent, like-new condition. This is just SO exciting! I still plan to drive Maggie singly in competition this year but that could change depending on MY learning curve :winkgrin:

Now the friend who is lending me Mollie also has a pair of pinto ponies for sale that she and Bill kept saying would be nice to give me a 4-in-hand. YIKES!!! While I love the little spotted ponies I think that four would just be WAY too much for me. PPS has weakened my shoulders and arms, as well, and I doubt I'd be able to hold that much rein without pain!

[Happy Feet]

WOW they look Fabulous!!! Congrats!!

[nickers]

Well, lucky you! I saw your ad on CD-L for your single harnesses and you mentioned something about a pair, so was waiting to hear about it here.

And you didn't take any pics while doing the test drive - shame on you!

Hoping we'll see some photos soon!

[MySparrow]

Brilliant, Pat I'm so excited for you! Can't wait to see you in action in the flesh!

Now, bringing along Phoenix' sister is still a project, yes?

Dale

[Ashemont]

Sorry I couldn't get any pictures of the test drive. It was bitter cold and I was busy paying attention to Bill - no time for playing with the camera.

Yes, we still plan to break Mehru (Phoenix's daughter) to harness. We've decided that Joe will do the horses and I'll play with the ponies. If you have any idea of how competitive my husband is than you'll understand why: this way we will never be competing AGAINST each other ;)

[Cartfall]

Pat,

You are just having too much fun!!! Congrats on your pair!!! I know how much fun we had with Maggie in the woods, so now it is double the pleasure? I look forward to seeing you drive them!!!

Be careful or Joe will want a pair too!! That will mean a new trailer!!!

[hobbyhorse23]

You got a...you got...you....ARRGHHH!! No fair!! LOL. I got hooked on pair driving at the National Drive and want to move up to one so bad, but there's no way I'm going to find a perfect match for my little guy. It's somewhat fortunate given his iffy conformation that there's not many out there like him, but unfortunately, I can't afford two more horses, two more harnesses, and a pairs vehicle. Dang it!

Please keep us updated on your two, at least I can get my thrill vicariously through you. :lol: Molly is beautiful and you're right, she's a gorgeous match for Ms. Maggie! Wow.

Leia

[LostFarmer]

Once you have driven a pair you will have a hard time going back. Think of it like dial up then dsl then back to dial up. :lol: They are looking good for a maiden voyage. It is a hard thing to get a team that works, looks, and moves like it should. You got lucky but it is always better to be lucky than good. LF

[Ashemont]

Just to make it clear... the new pony is Mollie. She is the near side pony in the pictures I posted. The pony with her is half of the pair that my friend has for sale :) I promise to get pictures of Mollie and Maggie together soon.

My friend and I are actually thinking that the two of them might be related. They are both from the same county. Just about the same size. They have the same hind-end, very similar conformation with the same neck and head carriage. Same color with minimal white markings. But the movement... ahhhh, the movement! Spectacular!

You all know that I've bred German warmbloods quite successfully for over two decades, having bred and taken two stallions to FEI dressage, and having gotten three homebred stallions licensed. I've also consistently had Premium foals and mares, won in-hand and materiale classes, and won more breeders groups than I can count. My office is covered in Championship sashes. So I do know movement - and both of these ponies have it. And it's the SAME.

How many ponies when put together for the very first time move in unison? I got goose bumps watching them. Not only were they in sync but it was GOOD CORRECT movement - hind ends engaged, round and through. And soft as butter in the hand. I can only imagine what they'll be like in a few months, without shaggy coats and with more 'together' time. I really am so fortunate.

[Thomas_1]

BE WARNED: DRIVING IS ADDICTIVE. PONIES ARE LIKE SPOTS, THEY SPREAD :winkgrin:

Before you know what you're doing you'll have a team of four!

Nice looking pony and I look forward to hearing about your pairs driving.


Do your reins have the 11 hole adjustment at the coupling? You have a lot more ability to finesse them with the 11 holes than the more common reins with less hole numbers. 11 holes is for the Achenbach system of Pairs driving, measured precisely on the rein length, so you can change the adjustments from the driver's seat without buckle being in your way. My pairs reins have 20 holes on them :eek:

Setting up pairs reins can be very tricky and the best advice I can give you is to get a really experienced pairs driver to help you with that. You really need to watch each horses way of going and then adjust the reins to allow for that. And it takes quite a lot of trial and error to get it right.

[LostFarmer]

Amen Thomas. Team reins are a challenge that I struggle with. More error than trial on my end. LF

[Thomas_1]

I've been called to travel 300 miles to help an experienced pairs driver to set up reins with a new pair. Its really hard (impossible!) by yourself.

[Ashemont]

BE WARNED: DRIVING IS ADDICTIVE. PONIES ARE LIKE SPOTS, THEY SPREAD :winkgrin:

Before you know what you're doing you'll have a team of four!

NO NO NO NO NO!!! I didn't even plan on two so PLEASE don't talk about four! Bill started teasing me about it and I was quite firmly opposed. I could NEVER get two other people around to help me often enough to begin to keep them fit, let alone get any real training done!!!


looking pony and I look forward to hearing about your pairs driving.

Thank you :) And aren't you pleased that I took your advice and waited for the experienced 16-17 year old who has done it all rather than taking on the 3 year old that I fell in love with?


up pairs reins can be very tricky and the best advice I can give you is to get a really experienced pairs driver to help you with that.

Yep, looks like it. That's why I take weekly lessons with Bill Long and let HIM adjust the tack and carriage :yes:

[kearleydk]

I thought this might happen. You're gonna love it!!

I would make a side bet that it's not the 4 that happens but rather that somebody prods you into trying tandem. Way challenging yet without the arm strain that seems to come early on with a four. (that's just my personal experience)


Multiples are just a blast. I ran a unicorn yesterday as little Onyx was still favoring one foot. The weather suddenly turned nasty (for Florida but probably just normal for Thomas) while we were harnessing. Temp dropped, wind picked up, and light rain started falling. I was thinking "this is not going to be much fun" and "these ponies are not going to be calm in this weather." Darned if they didn't give me one of the best drives ever. Mr Triumph was just floating and dancing out there in the lead, responding to the slightest twitch of the lines. Arman and Agatha were very workman-like on the wheels and I was picking up the point and holding them off on almost every corner. Just REALLY a nice drive. Very soft on my hands.

Still we have not done the Random hitch but it is very much on my mind. My gut says it will go off just fine.

I ramble on but await pictures of the new pair.

Dick

[Ashemont]

So far the tandem hasn't attracted me at all. At least not with small ponies. The reason for going to the pair was to take some strain off of Maggie; a tandem would defeat that (as I understand a tandem the lead equine doesn't do any work).

Must confess going out with you at The Drive fueled the fire :D So pray tell just what is a Random hitch? I thought we had pretty much done all you could do with 4 at the hitching demo :confused:

[kearleydk]

I think after you have the pair going smoothly you will look to the next challenge. You are not a status quo kind of gal.

I would question that the tandem does not share the load. I am fully aware af the old quote about he who drives tandem is a fool for he makes two horses do the work of one but.......... The tandem has a couple of different historical roots.
One was the gentleman getting his good horse to the hunt fresh. This was followed by the young rakes showing off their driving skill. The other application was in New England where a 'spike' horse was kept at the bottom of steep hills and attached to the front of either a single or pair to help them make the grade. Spike horse was detached at the top of the hill and returned to the bottom to help the next vehicle.


The leader of tandem spends quite a bit of time out of draft but may be sent forward any time the going gets tough so long as there is not a turn involved. This same thing is happening with any in-line hitch. The leaders must come out of draft on the corners lest they pull the wheelers over but they can certainly be in draft on straight going and can actually spell the wheelers. If the leaders were never in draft what would be the point of 4's 6's and 8's?

Random is a tandem only worse. It's 3 horses in line nose to tail. Haven't done it yet partly because it requires 3 sets of reins. Each of the three horses would be driven and controlled by his own reins.

[mares tails]

So pray tell just what is a Random hitch?

Random is "haphazard, lacking a definite plan, purpose, or pattern".

Randem is three horses hitched one in front of the next.

;)

[HappyHoppingHaffy]

Wow, did I think you were talking about something else!! :lol:
Congratulations!

[Ashemont]

This is the second drive with the girls. Bill fitted their Yonni harness (purchased from CD-L used) and put them to their new-to-us Jeff Day carriage. They're both shaggy and a bit sweaty but it was a LOVELY drive! Bill said they were so well-matched and together that I could show them tomorrow if I wanted too! What GOOD ponies! :D :yes: :D

Maggie is the one with the blaze; Mollie is the one with the rear half-stocking. Mollie is 10 years older than Maggie - my mother and daughter pair of Polish Driving Ponies :winkgrin: :lol:

Oh I should add that Maggie was body clipped last fall and has been blanketed all winter while Mollie was not clipped and not blanketed. Trust me, they're both the same color ;)

[kearleydk]

Makes me think of that old ad for Double Mint Gum.
Dick

[Yip]

Congratulations, Ashemont! Mollie is one cute pony, and she looks like she's all business in those pics. Do you have an pics of Maggie? I'd love to see her too. Or if you could get a pic of the two even standing together.

Yip/Wendy
NC

[Ashemont]

taken by Leia at The National Drive last year :) and at the Carriage Classic with my dog Sable winning the Carriage Dog Class :D

[hobbyhorse23]

Pat, did you get your hair cut shorter? You look great!

Leia

[Cartfall]

Hey, Pat--

nothing that I can say hasn;t already been said. Great job, they look fantastic. Can you drives these guys by yourself in the woods? Joe looks happy on the back seat!!

Looking forward to hearing about the P^3 team!!! For the unitiated that is P to the 3rd power or P cubed---Polish Pony Pair!!!! It is a math thing!!!

Sue