driving lessons! - technical questions.

[War_Admiral]

[QUOTE=Thomas_1;3321654]
I sometimes get cramp in my left thumb and that can be awkward when it suddenly goes and I totally drop the reins! Have to quickly catch them with my right hand whilst cursing the pain of cramp![/QUOTE]

No offense meant, T1, but that doesn’t sound especially safe to me - especially not with multiples!! I think I’d rather drive using some kind of modified 2-handed position w/ one hand as backup than risk accidentally dropping the reins of a four!!! 'kin 'ell, as y’all say over there!! :eek: Be safe.

[hitchinmygetalong]

@slc2;3348084

no, stink, it’s been going on long enough, i get continuous pm’s about thomas 1 - ‘i don’t post on the driving forum because he is so nasty’, it’s more than one person who feels that way, its constant and that pm is just an example. when people say ‘i don’t post’ that’s when it’s gone far enough, and yes, i DO think Pm’s are a cowardly way of handling it and letting one person get picked on and bitching in pm instead of saying hey, thomas 1, enough, IS cowardly. but if one or two are disgruntled or just don’t like to hear ‘i disagree’ or a discussion, it’s different . disagreement can be great, but not thomas 1 stalking one person and singling them out for ‘;special treatment’.

Who the heck made you the moderator, anyway, slc2?

This “feud” between you and Thomas goes straight back to when you were posting about your fabulous pony that you had rescued from atop a mountain of manure, who was foundered and neglected and fat and out of shape, and you were planning on taking to the upper levels of combined driving. He pointed out a few things to you (like you lack of knowledge on some of the very basics) and you got your feathers ruffled.

You are the one who comes shrieking back at him when he responds to your posts in a less-than-fawning manner, thereby fanning the dying embers of your past grievances into a wildfire.

Citing some fictitious PM’s as confirmation of his “unpopularity” is not only poor forum manners, it creates a divisive “me against him” atmosphere that is not appreciated by this writer. I don’t know how other people feel, and I don’t care.

The Driving Forum is a peaceful place, I’d love to see it stay that way. I am trying to hold my tongue but your defense of your own posting tactics against Thomas is too much. Run and complain to the mods about a “personal attack” - get me banned - I don’t care. But controversy follows you like a dog on this board and if anyone wants to see the real story, just look at past posts.

There. I’ve said my peace. Have at it. Have a party. Oh, and don’t forget to ignore my attempt at offering an olive branch back on post 37. You should have just dropped it there. But no, you always, always, always have to have the last word.

[KellyS]

I just had to smile at the implication that 2-handed driving was, well, so offensive (or dare I say American). I took a minute to do a google search on images from the driving world championships and every picture I found showed drivers (including European drivers) driving with 2 hands (in all three phases), not Aachenbach or coachmen style.

I really don’t think you can say any method is right or wrong–do what works best for you and your pony/horse.

[twofatponies]

[QUOTE=KellyS;3348347]
I just had to smile at the implication that 2-handed driving was, well, so offensive (or dare I say American). I took a minute to do a google search on images from the driving world championships and every picture I found showed drivers (including European drivers) driving with 2 hands (in all three phases), not Aachenbach or coachmen style.

I really don’t think you can say any method is right or wrong–do what works best for you and your pony/horse.[/QUOTE]

Whew! I should have gone and looked myself!!

[Brookes]

Gee slc, now you know how so many of us on the dressage forum felt, because of you. I quit posting due to your rudeness, snide comebacks and crappy attitude to me and many others as newbies to the board.

You are experiencing exactly what you did to me. Gee ain’t karma a complete and total bitch???
.

[hitchinmygetalong]

I personally use the “two handed” Hungarian method (as patiently explained to me by my instructor), and though I do feel more comfortable with it, I hope to eventually learn Achenbach also.

I had a lesson a couple of years ago in Scotland, and the instructor there insisted on Achenbach, and when I didn’t “get it” instantly, she reached over and positioned the reins in my hand and then put her left hand over mine to show me how to direct the pony. She had the strongest grip I have ever experienced - she absolutely CRUSHED my poor dainty fingers to the point where I had to say, “Stop! You’re crushing my hand!” She finally gave up in disgust with this soft American.

I don’t hold that against Scotland, Scottish drivers, or British for the matter! :winkgrin:

Hey, we drive on the “right” side of the road, so there! Ha ha ha!

[Moderator_1]

Let’s ALL please avoid the personal commentary. The focus in the forums should be on horses, not on individuals’ posting histories and interpersonal issues with other posters.

Use the “Ignore” feature if you’d prefer not to read someone’s comments. If you want to address a private matter with another poster, do so off of the public forum where it doesn’t interfere with the overall atmosphere and utility of the forums.

If you feel a post is inappropriate, report it.

Thanks,
Mod 1

[mares_tails]

CDI

[QUOTE=hitchinmygetalong;3340366]
could you please explain what a CDI is?[/QUOTE]
CDI: Concours de Dressage International
:winkgrin:

[hitchinmygetalong]

Thank you, mares tails!

In reading back through the posts, I see Thomas has referred to “Coachman” and “Achenbach”.

I believe the instructor I had in Scotland was attempting (unsuccessfully) to teach me Coachman, not Achenbach.

It’s so nice when the lighbulb finally clicks on! :yes:

[goeslikestink]

slc2, ok i am going to be a bit blunt hopefully no offence meant, but
when people have as much expreince as i or another person or in fact there heaps of people to be procised,
and you know through education ie trianing reading, mixing as with people from that disipline or another as sometimes one can be assocaited with more than one, ie take me for exsample
i know top notch people in jumping but also know them in eventing and dressage,

i prefer the jumping side, more than the dressage side, as i like x/c etc
but i also know people on the driving side, and have met a few good ones, as my mate did a lot of stuff for a local harness club to which she always envoled me, i have been fortunate
to meet and greet a lot of horse folk from the underdog to top dog.

my point is------- one that is a lesson is not a trianer, and when we learning we read a lot
of our chosen displine and watch our chosen idols and want to be like them
thus encourages new riders drivers to take the sport up…

theres a lot that is written on the subjects by lots of proven people some people
have the same books videos , or trianers, that might have written a book or done a video or even a game ie pippa funnell,

now going back on a bit of history, you say you dont ride, due to injury and you not a trianer but a lesson

keeping the lesson bit in mind ---------- for one minute

a trianer-- doesnt quote xyz then asked basic questions of what to do and why or how much costs are envoled to xyz etc
those that do what ever have already joined the association of there dispiline be it affilaited or un afflicated- to improve there horsemanship and the horse it self or to improve driving ability etc

my point is you cant bulls–t someone who knows more than you do… and has been there worn the t shirt backwards 3 times over and not only that competed for england in major events and won or been highly placed

would you for exsample — try to teach pippa funnell to suck eggs
i think not

[goeslikestink]

[QUOTE=Thomas_1;3321654]
I’d advise always to start with Coachman.

Then if you really must to learn Achenbach.

I’ve often had extensive periods driving all day, every day and I’ve never found it a strain at all to drive coachman.

I never carry weight on my hand though! I only ever have the lightest of contact.

Only thing I find now I’ve got old is that when I’ve driven a long time (over 4 hours!) that I sometimes get cramp in my left thumb and that can be awkward when it suddenly goes and I totally drop the reins! Have to quickly catch them with my right hand whilst cursing the pain of cramp!

The cause of that isn’t driving though, its something to do with some medical treatment I had. I have to keep remembering to drink litres of tonic water to prevent it.[/QUOTE]

ooh i get cramps in my hands at times due to arthuritis long storey had its since i was 5
thomas you know what helps-- i know you where gloves etc but on occasions dont ie summer months perhaps then get a pair of fingerless ones to keep the essential part of your hands warm-- that way you wont get cramps in thumbs

[goeslikestink]

thomas does the same occur if driving 4 in hand or more than two horses

[_Freedom]

@slc2;3348084

no, stink, it’s been going on long enough, i get continuous pm’s about thomas 1 - ‘i don’t post on the driving forum because he is so nasty’, it’s more than one person who feels that way, its constant and that pm is just an example. when people say ‘i don’t post’ that’s when it’s gone far enough,

Are those like the fictitious love PMs that I was supposed to have sent to you?

[quote=slc2;3348084] i DO think Pm’s are a cowardly way of handling it and letting one person get picked on and bitching in pm instead of saying hey, thomas 1, enough, IS cowardly. but if one or two are disgruntled or just don’t like to hear ‘i disagree’ or a discussion, it’s different . disagreement can be great, but not thomas 1 stalking one person and singling them out for ‘;special treatment’.
[/quote]

Too bad you didn’t follow your own thinking. Posting about fictitious love PMs is also cowardly. Being branded a lesbian is NOT cool.

[Thomas_1]

[QUOTE=War Admiral;3348123]
No offense meant, T1, but that doesn’t sound especially safe to me - especially not with multiples!! I think I’d rather drive using some kind of modified 2-handed position w/ one hand as backup than risk [I]accidentally dropping the reins of a four[/QUOTE] Did you mean that driving multiples doesn’t sound safe? Because its not!

Puts me in mind of the time when I had no platelet count (blood clotting factor) and my Consultant said “Tom you really mustn’t ride or train horses. Driving though is perfectly safe” :lol: He clearly might have been a good Doctor but he sure as heck knew nothing about the sort of carriage driving I do! Since then we’ve become quite good friends and he’s stayed here and I’ve taken him out for a drive with a team on the marathon vehicle where he quickly rethought his view and retracted his words! I’ve since said how I’ve quoted him often and had a laugh at his expense with my old competition days driving friends.

There’s intrinsic risk driving any equipage and driving cross country and particularly multiples cross country, further increases the risk. Driving to train novice horses increases the risk still further. I drive or supervise trainees driving probably on average 5 days a week and often up to 4 hours a day. So there’s the risk increased again because of frequency and duration. So getting cramp in my thumb is the least of my worries when it comes to managing risk.

Did you mean that occassionally getting cramp doesn’t sound safe? Getting cramp is a pain in the … (where ever you get it!). It can happen to anyone, anytime when you’re doing any sporting activity for a long time. In my case, I happen to be more prone because of medication I have to take. It means I’m aware of it and to manage the risk I ensure I take plenty of potassium and drink masse of tonic water (for quinine)! So in 15 years of driving probably more frequently and more often than most, I’ve had cramp in my left hand about 5 times and have had to catch the reins in my right hand… Now to me that sounds like a minor inconvenience not a huge safety risk.

Did you mean that catching reins in my assister hand doesn’t sound safe? I’d say that’s what an assister hand is for. It comes into play when you need it.