[drafts]

Well, I got some great advice on this board!

At 7 am we got to the barn and loaded the grain, harness, collar and mic. items. We then took the mare out of the barn. We backed the trialer to the door,and closed the door so he could not go around the trailer to see his mom. We had mom stick her head in the escape door. We walked him tot he trailer and let his mom call to him. He was about to walk right in, but he had never seena ramp before, so he stumbled a bit and that put him on guard. We let mom keep talking to hm while I pulled him forward. My cousin kept gently tapping his rear with my driving whip. When he would walk forward we would stop tapping and release pressure. He basically walked right in.

He made the 40 minute trip wiothout a fuss. I was definitley not expecting this to go so well. He proved me wrong! He got harnessed immediately,a nd was about to be put to work in the field as we were leaving.

We will go back on Wednesday to see how he is doing. Keep your fingers crossed


Thanks for all of the advice!

[MissBandit]

That is really great news. I had read that thread and was not expecting it to go as well either. How is mom taking the seperation?

[drafts]

Originally Posted by MissBandit

That is really great news. I had read that thread and was not expecting it to go as well either. How is mom taking the seperation?

My aunt or his horse mom, LOL!!!!

my aunt was having anxiety attacks all morning, so she was not allowed to help or drive there. She is doing great now.

His horse mom is fantastic. She has wanted that brat off her for a long time now.

Once he comes back, we are going to keep them seperated. After a month or two of being gone, that mom/son bond should be broken. we have tried seperating them int he past, but he is very destructive when he tries to get to her.

This is going to just be a great thing all around.

[shell]

I hear the Amish don't fool around with horses. They use them pretty hard. So, you will either have a good quiet well trained horse when he is finished, or a complete basket case! I hope for quiet for you.

[tish]

I love happy endings! So glad the loading and trailering went well.I had read your previous thread too and you did get some good advice.Great people around here.I look forward to hearing your progress report after seeing him on Wednesday.Good Luck!

[drafts]

Originally Posted by shell

I hear the Amish don't fool around with horses. They use them pretty hard. So, you will either have a good quiet well trained horse when he is finished, or a complete basket case! I hope for quiet for you.

The Amish are people just like we are. There are good and bad. they have to be good to their horses, they are their livlihood. They depend onthem for everything.

Yes, they use their horses alot, but that is what they are for. Drafts are different than light horses. Their muscles store a special chemical that is released with hard work. Draft horses have the ability to do hard short periods of work, take a short break to replenish the chemical and then go right back at it.

They use their horses about as much as out forefathers did, before cars, tractors, and other engine powered machinary.

I work my draft very hard. I can't afford to keep a pasture fluff of any size. I use him for logging, farming and pleasure driving.

[ladida]

I'm so glad that he got in, part of the draft personality?? Make sure you take pics when you visit (if it allowed), this sounds like such a great thing for both horses.

[CowGirlUp1833]

what a great way to teach him to load! cool idea!

[MissBandit]

LOL!! I was thinking of both acutally.

Originally Posted by drafts

My aunt or his horse mom, LOL!!!!

my aunt was having anxiety attacks all morning, so she was not allowed to help or drive there. She is doing great now.

His horse mom is fantastic. She has wanted that brat off her for a long time now.

Once he comes back, we are going to keep them seperated. After a month or two of being gone, that mom/son bond should be broken. we have tried seperating them int he past, but he is very destructive when he tries to get to her.

This is going to just be a great thing all around.

[drafts]

Originally Posted by ladida

I'm so glad that he got in, part of the draft personality?? Make sure you take pics when you visit (if it allowed), this sounds like such a great thing for both horses.

Thanks guys!
Sorry, can't takes pics around Amish, they feel it steals their soul. I hope he is going steady in about 2 weeks so we can take my cart out there and have him started single.