Teacher's Pet

We are gradually working our way toward the end of autumn. In the mornings now, the clover is crispy - covered with frost crystals. These are the days one has to bundle up to get dawn chores done .. then spend the day shedding layers bit by bit. We've been getting some great rides in here in Vermont along with working with our other projects of keeping the sale horses pretty well schooled and moving the younger horses up the levels of training. I was thrilled yesterday when one of my favorite pupils was hitched for the first time to the cart ! Remember my beautiful smooth coated Ozzie boy ?  What a level headed young fellow he is - pulling the cart all over the yard and practicing his stepping over and turns. Even though I work with these horses all the time, I am still continually impressed with their willingness.

This is his first time hitched.  He is still in the 'goldilocks' stage of things -- neither the small cart nor the medium cart was just right.  I went with the medium cart - but there are adjustments that need to made for the next session.  These shafts are too long for him so I will trade out the traces for longer ones for now and obviously the tug loops need to be lowered.  But - for now, we are just going to ground drive around the yard and see how things go.

What a great little gelding !!  next time.. I'll spend the time to adjust everything and perhaps this little man will actually pull a person a little bit.

For this -- a video speaks louder than photo's ! What a great fellow -- he's going to make a very quiet dependable driving pony.. I bet every bit as stupendous as my awesome Nimue.  And - one day he'll also be great medium pony under saddle ! I am super proud of him.  He is a bit of a teacher's pet :)

Betsy and Ozzie in Vermont