Legacy makes her driving video debut

http://youtu.be/hEW3rLrVK7o
Today we debut Legacy's first driving video. With the help of a friend, I videoed Legacy driving, and then reversed roles and drove her myself. We also took still shots, pictured here.


I am busy schooling trot to canter transitions, what a BLAST !!! Legacy is so light and responsive.....
This is fun beyond words ;-)

Truly a dream come true

Our first road drive

Yesterday was a incredible day...First I drove Legacy in the pasture and yard (English term for in front of the barns at the stable where she is boarded)..she was a doll! the gate from the pasture to the "yard" was a nice controlled walk...she gets pretty excited to go through that gate, as driving out in the yard is an easier task for her...the yard has a nicely packed dirt road, much easier to drive around. After my driving session I asked Virgil to take the lines and work Legacy a bit on her cantering. Talk about a RUSH of adrenaline !!!! Virgil and I sat back and enjoyed the ride....a smooth horse, in a controlled canter eating up strides at a fairly rapid pace...this mare is just dreamy....We cantered short lengths, several times. I hope later this week, it is me taking the lines for a spring time canter....a wonderful gait, like flying on a cloud.

After our canter, Virgil mentioned he would like to check the pasture down the county road. We have been on the road for a short ways, but this would entail about 1/2 mile of road work. The road had actually been pretty quiet....and off we went.

Of course, as soon as we stepped out onto the road we encountered traffic. Legacy just trotted along willing and quietly. She slowed and stopped to listen when some unseen dogs started a barking frenzy..not only could she not see them, due to her blinders, but they were actually hidden behind a tall fence and shrubery.....after a moment to process the whole thing we trotted on. Next came what every whip (driver) dreads.....coming right at us was an over sized semi with a huge piece of farm equipment on its low boy trailer bed. Pilot cars in front let Legacy know traffic was in the area and the semi passed without any issues....thank goodness for decent truckers! most semi's coming down that road chose that area to slam on the noisy jake brakes....but this guy was awesome and we all had a safe passing of the huge equipment. OK...perhaps I would not have selected that to happen on our first road drive...but, hey, it is real life here.

When we could get a clear path, we turned and headed for home (after checking the pasture) Legacy gave us a brisk trot for a bit, then Virgil slowed her to a walk for the rest of the journey...

We drove a couple more circles around the yard and put her away....this mare is nothing short of amazing.......

I plan on doing video later in the week...stay tuned!

Even Virgil a "tried and true" QH guy is now singing Legacy's praises ;-)

Whips from Team Donk and Team Creekside meet

A week ago, Kristi, of "Team Donk" came for a visit....this photo was taken by Virgil Wicks, as we warmed up for our meeting of the whips of Team Donk and Team Creekside

More warm up time.............


After Kristi arrived, we set out to do some harness adjustments...Legacy is moving much free "er" now that we made minor adjustments. It always amazes me..how just a tiny adjustment can make your horse much more comfortable...both riding and driving!
Kristi spent a bit of time "opening up Legacy" allowing her to use her good forward, willing attitude at a little higher rate than we normally work, it was a huge confidence builder for me. We had a fun day, learned ALOT and have continued our work over at this barn...soon we have a clinic scheduled.

1 hr to hitch, 5 minutes to drive

Roy and I and Legacy in her "red harness pads"

Just one of those days I suppose....training horses often does not go in a straight line....we often go forward making good progress, and then just when you think you and your horse have "got it" you take a mighty step backwards. This was the week for just that...here is how it went.

When Legacy was at Trainer Roy's , Roy put harness pads on her harness for her. She just seemed more comfortable with harness pads, and after all, horses are all about comfort. The harness pads he had, were red, and he warned me that "red" was not an acceptable color for showing in any class. He told me about the harness pads, the maker and where to find them to order the acceptable color of black. I did not need encouragement, as I think black is much more suited to Legacy anyway. The Red pads are great for Christmas time, but I really prefer black for the rest of the year.

Now...when I bought my harness, it came with some pads....black neoprene pads....so, my brain got to thinking, and though the pads were not near the quality of the red ones, why not cover them with Sherpa fleece for a suitable pad...seemed logical right? HA!

I got busy, covered the neoprene pads with black sherpa and put them on my harness. Legacy noticed the difference right away. She fussed and wiggled and let her opinion be know. Since we had a good couple weeks off, because I was ill, I figured it was just the lay off time. We harnessed, hitched and off we went.

Second hitch with the black pads went fairly easy...but it was becoming clear to me that there was a whole lot of fussing going on....Legacy began refusing the bridle, and frankly, when a 15.3HH refuses the bridle, there is not a whole lot you can do.

Before the third hitch with the pads I decided I must go back to the red pads. I now, have on order, the black pads from LaSalle Harness....these pads have much more padding than what I have seen in other places, and we already know Legacy likes them, as that is the brand of her red one.

So....I put the red pads back on, and attempted to harness and hitch. Harnessing went better, Legacy showed a little more relaxation when it came to the point of bridling her.....we long linning around a bit and I deemed she was ready to hitch.

Hitching alone is a challenge, but it does, in fact, allow you to really listen to what your horse is telling you, if you bother to listen that is. Legacy was not convinced that I had switched back to the red pads. I would get her in perfect position, but when I brought the shafts up over her back, she would wiggle and squiggle and move just enough to be out of position. We did this dance for well over an hour. I never lost my temper ( hey, I can grow as a person! ) and I made sure that we both stayed safe. Finally I placed her in a different spot in the arena, something grabbed her attention and she stood like a rock for me to hitch her up....victory!!! course, by now I am nearly beat!

I rewarded her with about a 5 minute drive, checked all systems as I watched her turn and make her corners and then gave her a big reward with a job well done and turned her out.

I am happy to say, the next day went a bit easier. We hitched on the second attempt, and I suspect that our future hitches will go even smoother yet. and PLEASE ...no one tell her when I switch from the red to the black..they should arrive this week......

Snow day, snow play

We had a nice snowfall of 10" earlier this week, and I also had our Grandson out for a visit..so, when I headed outdoors to take photos of AJ, the horses also made their presence known.

Legacy is making snow angels here, she made sure she made an angel as good as she could.

Another try at it......

Here Legacy gives me the "Bev Dolittle" effect...you may have seen Bev's style of work, it usually involves horses and background that the horses disappear into....here is Legacy's best effort at camo....

The girls spent a whole lot of time racing each other, bucking and general well...HORSE PLAY !!!
AJ thought watching the girls was a whole lot of fun!!!!

Ready to Move on

Well, I knew this day would come ;-) Legacy has informed me that driving inside our tiny (for driving a full sized horse) arena is much too boring and no longer a challenge, so, we are ready to move on. Our next venture will be driving at a friend's place. Virgil not only has a larger indoor arena, but he also has several acres of FLAT, something we know nothing about here on our place. So, next week, after my bronchitis has left me, Legacy and I will venture over to Virgil's and drive with a little more room. This is a great spot to practice our trust and togetherness. Virgil's fenced pasture, is beside a busy county road, we will practice learning to drive with traffic, all in the safe confines of a fenced area, but with the same feel as being out on the road. The pasture also has a "exercise track" from the days when Virgil had racehorses and breezed them at home, so, we can drive the track too.....the possibilities are limitless, a couple acres of large, flat space, a good training spot for traffic and all fenced for safety, and an added bonus, a guy who LOVES taking photos as much as I do, in fact he has been my mentor for years, horses and photography are what Virgil does best. After Legacy and I get comfortable in this situation, we will take the drive we have waited for, down a quiet country lane, different location again, and all part of "our" education.

My Christmas card for you!

Merry Christmas to all and a Very Happy New Year....may all your holiday wishes come true, and may you have quality time with your friends, family and herd members through the Holiday season....MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!!