Winter has arrived, for the moment. Wind is very chill, no incentive to go out driving! We got all the winter preparing done in the great Fall weather ending the weekend before Thanksgiving. That weekend had a CT put on by the Metamora Driving Club. Not sure how many came but it was busy all day!
We took Luke as a Single, did things at the Preliminary level for fun. Luke was pretty good, his first work in an indoor arena. He worried about the walls, thinking “if he didn’t help” that he would run into the wall! Also first outing away from home with the Bennington carriage. Husband has been “tinkering” with it since we got it home. New, wider singletree to get traces from rubbing Luke’s haunches. New centered, air-ride seat for driver. Did not end up like I expected! But husband likes it. Worked out the upholstery and padding on the sides which actually turned out quite well for a first effort! The seat part is a wedge cushion just laying there. He said it was enough (3") rise with the air ride added. Can easily add higher or lower cushion if needed for a different sized horse. He had also added blocks of wood between springs and axles, springs and body of carriage. That bought us 4" more height.
The only part that was not good was the metal railing around the driver’s seat. It is way too tall, needs to be remade to be comfortable for the groom. I think it was the block addition that did it, since floor under groom did not gain any height. The rail to hold is about even with my mouth!! 6ft son said rail is too tall for him as well.
However for the CT, we made it work. Wrapped the places to hold so I had good grip. I felt very stable on the carriage, found the round rubber tires do not allow sideways slip! That was interesting!! I will have to try slipping over when outside, see if it works there. Not tippy even with a higher seat. I like this vehicle! Horses both seem to like it too.
There was a slight driver error on our first round in cones, added time. Second round Luke KNEW the route, and we went much faster. Almost made the error a second time, with Luke thinking that was the route! However he was willing to be rerouted and finished well.
It was a good time seeing friends, actually having time to converse, catch up on things! Weather was nice, so driving over was easy. Luke is a good traveler, happy eating in the trailer until it was his time.
Changing the driving horses over to ice studs now to provide traction. Supposed to warm up again, but you can’t trust the predictions. Feeding hay outside in the AM. Horses love the cold, being out playing in the snow. We only got about 2 inches. Ground is not frozen in the fields. Brother up North is at about 30inches of Lake Effect snow, higher than SIL’s waist! He has been out snow blowing every few hours. He has a BIG snowblower, keeps the drive way and a path around the house cleared off. He said they were lucky, they got 44 inches a couple miles further north! Hope they get a break before the next Alberta Clipper arrives.
