After April back surgery, I am in healing mode. I thought my pony driving adventures with Orion would be on hold this summer during the long healing process. Well, I was wrong. To make a long story short. My husband stole my pony.
It all started one fine Sunday spring afternoon when there wasn't a horrendous pile of chores to do on the acreage. The exact husband words were "I'll think I'll harness up Orion and ground drive
him". OK, so I was thinking bad thoughts here. Like let's get a chair with his name on it at the ER. My husband knows what he needs to know about horses given the fact that really, it's his wife's hobby. He's a great bale hauler, horse trailer-hooker-upper guy, and the absolute bestest horsie cheerleader around, but really hasn't paid much attention to the finer details. Like how to tie a horse. And well, how to harness a horse. And put a bridle on a horse. Well, you get my angst.
So I hobbled down to the barn and well, yah, the breeching is now the breast collar and the breast collar is now the breeching so my imaginings are fairly accurate on the"I'm really worried he doesn't know what he is doing" scale. And to all my horsie friends out there visualize this scenario. Try to teach someone how to put on a bridle on a Reluctant Mini when you can't bend at the waist to show
him. Let's just say the first unschooled attempt of holding the bit in both hands facing the pony head on and saying "open your mouth" approach showed it's limitations right away.
But the look on Orion's face (if a mini can have a look on his face) was priceless. It was - you are
kidding? Seriously kidding? OK, well I'm gonna have sooooooo much fun with this. He hasn't been completely evil, more like modified evil minus ER visits. Suddenly Orion remembered that he didn't HAVE to remember how to do things. Well, to make a lot of interesting stories short (future blog posts. No. Doubt.), husband had more staying power than Orion and drum roll...they attended a CDE (Combined Driving Event) in August. And did very well. Orion still showed his devil horns a bit (dressage had an "Eff the approach to F" moment. Or two) - but they had a great time! Boy, that mini has zoom power :)
So now I don't have a mini to drive. But just wait Weasley and Potter...Mom has a back now and your
turn comes this spring!!
It all started one fine Sunday spring afternoon when there wasn't a horrendous pile of chores to do on the acreage. The exact husband words were "I'll think I'll harness up Orion and ground drive
him". OK, so I was thinking bad thoughts here. Like let's get a chair with his name on it at the ER. My husband knows what he needs to know about horses given the fact that really, it's his wife's hobby. He's a great bale hauler, horse trailer-hooker-upper guy, and the absolute bestest horsie cheerleader around, but really hasn't paid much attention to the finer details. Like how to tie a horse. And well, how to harness a horse. And put a bridle on a horse. Well, you get my angst.
So I hobbled down to the barn and well, yah, the breeching is now the breast collar and the breast collar is now the breeching so my imaginings are fairly accurate on the"I'm really worried he doesn't know what he is doing" scale. And to all my horsie friends out there visualize this scenario. Try to teach someone how to put on a bridle on a Reluctant Mini when you can't bend at the waist to show
him. Let's just say the first unschooled attempt of holding the bit in both hands facing the pony head on and saying "open your mouth" approach showed it's limitations right away.
But the look on Orion's face (if a mini can have a look on his face) was priceless. It was - you are
kidding? Seriously kidding? OK, well I'm gonna have sooooooo much fun with this. He hasn't been completely evil, more like modified evil minus ER visits. Suddenly Orion remembered that he didn't HAVE to remember how to do things. Well, to make a lot of interesting stories short (future blog posts. No. Doubt.), husband had more staying power than Orion and drum roll...they attended a CDE (Combined Driving Event) in August. And did very well. Orion still showed his devil horns a bit (dressage had an "Eff the approach to F" moment. Or two) - but they had a great time! Boy, that mini has zoom power :)
So now I don't have a mini to drive. But just wait Weasley and Potter...Mom has a back now and your
turn comes this spring!!
