Use of "gee" and "haw"

[gothedistance]

Trakehner - Terrific post! Thanks so much! I love reading research into the origins of certain words. It isn’t surprising that most of our odd words “morphed” from something more identifiable to “regular words” used in long ago language - be it Native American, or old European, or Far East.

I thought the “gee” and “haw” were more French in origin - being specifically used by the early French mushers as the norm for controlling the direction of their sled dogs. Considering that French (and Latin) were the language of the learned in the middle centuries (old English or Middle English being very coarse (ie: “common”) at the time and not inclined to be that much a part of the popular lexicon) I would think - this just being my VHO – these two words probably have morphed from another language other than English…especially in light that the French would rather be garroted and hung from a tree upside down than utter a phrase with English origins. :lol: Even that one reference you mentioned suggests a non-English origin.

To the OP - you can say “gee” and “haw” and anything you want to cue your driving horses during a show - and that includes Devon and Walnut Hill, and Madison Square Gardens. Any code words, historic or otherwise. Heck, you could invent your own and be the envy of all the other drivers there! As has been already stated, there is no rule against it, and it is not looked down upon. If it helps you better communicate with your horse or pony, then go for it. Just don’t shout it or say it out loud so that someone nearby can also hear it. It needs to be said in a low voice or whisper so that only your horses can hear it. Not anyone else.

I use the words “come about” to my ponies when I want them to make a tight 90 degree, or full 180 degree, turn in either direction with very light pressure on the leading rein. They know the word means to turn tightly, but the rein is what directs them which way to turn. They are so used to this cue that I can release rein pressure altogether while they execute the turn on just the words alone. When they have turned as much as I want, light rein pressure on the opposing rein, and the words “good ponies” is all they need to know they have executed the turn to my satisfaction, and they stop turning.

I, myself, tend to be <ahem> “directionally challenged” and would only confuse myself if I had to try and remember which directions gee and haw represent! “Come about” -with the rein to show the way- is so much easier…for all of us! :lol::lol:

[gothedistance]

@JoanR;5166177

since I always say “ho” instead of “whoa” and who knows what people would have thought! Or should the command be “stop”?

I also say “ho” in a gentle drawn-out way. Loooooove that word. So nice and gentle. I usually throw in the word “and” in front of it, and stretch both words out. The sound relaxes the body of both human and horse when it is said. Ahhh. I can feel the relaxation just thinking about it. Mmmmmmm.

I don’t use “whoa” except as slang for one of those “holy cow!” moments. Then it must be said quickly, with an upward inflection of tone - with the emphasis on the “oh!” Just like Keanu Reeves says it in “The Matrix” That way. :lol: I never use it to stop to a horse.

“Stop” sounds - abrupt, annoying, nasty. I only use that word when I’m mad and demanding an immediate cessation to whatever annoying activity is happening around me. I don’t use it at all in driving. “And ho” said quickly while driving is more effective for stopping fast, and far more soothing.

Again, just MVHO.

[gothedistance]

@Drive NJ;5164747

Well Hello . . .
even the beat drivers revert to a bit of rein slapping in moments of excitement . . .
In the videos of the WEG marathon even Chardon, who won the marathon, reverted to rein slapping the 4inhand team coming out of at least one hazard
It just happens - when you get excited

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

I saw that!!! I almost fell off my chair! It was like “WHOA! Did he just job those reins on those wheelers butts?? Yeehaw!!” Guess when they changed the whip rule (to not having to carry it during marathon) they didn’t think one might need something “else” to further encourage forward movement other than the voice. A la ‘whack on the butt with the reins’ - and he did it more than once. I think he did it about 3-4 times! Sure was an eye-opener for me! :lol::lol::lol::lol:

[Trakehner]

[QUOTE=gothedistance;5166483]
A la ‘whack on the butt with the reins’ - and he did it more than once. I think he did it about 3-4 times! Sure was an eye-opener for me! :lol::lol::lol::lol:[/QUOTE]

It’s reality vs. hoity-toity attitude. People will blather on about Achenbach being THE ONLY correct way to handle the reins…and “never whack your horse’s butt with the reins”…but everyone does it in reality (kinda’ like farting–you can only blame the dog so often).

[HiyoSilver]

Forgive the intrusion. I haven’t driven since I was a kid, but I am a nut about words, riding words, especially, so I opened this thread and read this:

She also told a story about her grandfather being called out on a dark rainy night to deliver a baby - seems they are always being born on dark rainy nights. Anyway, even with lamps, it was very dark and hard to see. The doctor headed out to cross the newly built bridge over the bayou, but his horse kept refusing to go across it-- disobedience was something that was very unusual. Finally he gave up and went around a longer way to where there was a low water bridge, and though the water was pretty high, he managed to get across and arrived to help deliver twins!

He was there most of the night, and into early the next day before he headed home. He went to go the shortest way using the new bridge (this was a bridge made of wood) But when he got there he saw that in the night a large tree had rammed into it and had caused a section on the end that would have been the far end that night to fall into the bayou.

By refusing to cross, the horse had kept itself, the good doctor and his buggy from falling in the rain swollen bayou. Though the bridge had looked just fine on the near end, the far end was gone-- and the bridge was not wide enough to turn a horse and buggy around on.

Anna Sewell LIVES!

[SmartAlex]

[QUOTE=HiyoSilver;5166621]
Forgive the intrusion. I haven’t driven since I was a kid, but I am a nut about words, riding words, especially, so I opened this thread and read this:

Anna Sewell LIVES![/QUOTE]

My thought too

[HiyoSilver]

I think it was also used in a “Gunsmoke” episode…

[Thomas_1]

Also in Wuthering Heights… except instead of twins Francis Earnshaw got consumption and then died!

[arabhorse2]

But what about the Birtwick Balls?

Oh, and where’s little Joe Green?

[JoanR]

Thomas–I did NOT say I changed anything when I drove in the show, only that I was more cognizant of the verbal commands I used. So, although I have usedd gee and haw in a show ring, it was probably not in a ring class. the “stop” comment was a joke–referring to the people who use “left” and “right” as commands.

[gothedistance]

Fun, funny, and sometimes downright hilarious forum thread on the use of “gee” and haw", and numerous other command words, old methods of counting sheep, etc, and some turn of the century tales that are too good to miss. A must read!!!

[Cartfall]

I really must come over here to this site more often. This whole conversation has been a hoot.

Oh yeah, I saw the very proper drivers smacking those lines on their wheeler;s rumps up at WEG. They were so into the moment. Just could not help themselves. More than one in our hazards did this. Coming out was a striaght shot from F and it was a good long run so they had lots of time to get up to speed!!! Nothing like a 4 in hand or 4 up if you prefer (not sure I am right on that one) thundering down on ya!!!

As to the poster who feels drafts are looked down upon here–not so, my friend. Remember that words without body language can often be misread.

Granted the group that is active on this site now is not the the group that was active 4 years ago. But Lost Farmer who has been with us forever drives Shires, and does ag work on his farm. Now I see even more variety in the type of driving and horses than ever before.

Donkeys, drafts, ag work, draft shows, --this is not strictly an ADS pleasure show and CDE site. There are a lot of folks doing a lot of different things with their driving horses–mostly driving for our own pleasure without a competition. Granted I have competed in many driving ventures and continue to compete in Competitive Distance Driving, most of the time I just drive for my own pleasure.

So relax and enjoy what some of these very experienced folks have to share with you. And remember Thomas can;t always help himself–he is British. We love him anyway!!! (Smile Thomas, you know this is in good fun).

[system]

I have had drafters since 1990, and learned to use Gee/ Haw as well. Each horse taught here learns them as directional aids. I’ll add ‘‘COME Haw’’, for a sharper turn, or “Listen, come gee” for a super sharp one or I want my horse to understand we’re going to be getting into some horsey gymnastics.

Some driving folks use trills or whistles to help their horses turn,slow down, etc. When I am showing my mouth is so dry, I couldn’t whistle anything- so I use verbals +…

I have been having the best time reading these… What fun ! Usually a lurker here but maybe not so much now.

[SmokenMirrors]

Isn’t slapping the lines on your team or 4 in hand or whatever you drive in poor form or shows your lack of driving skill? This is only what I personally have been told and I try to never slap my driving lines on my team at all, preferring to use voice commands and/or a touch or tap of the whip to their hip or haunch.

I won’t say I have never done it, I have but not very often to worry about it.

[red_squirrel_ridge]

[QUOTE=HiyoSilver;5166621

Anna Sewell LIVES![/QUOTE]

My first thought too !

[Thomas_1]

[QUOTE=Cartfall;5167552]
And remember Thomas can;t always help himself–he is British. We love him anyway!!! (Smile Thomas, you know this is in good fun).[/QUOTE] Also remember that Thomas also drives Shires and Suffolk Punch regularly and owned a Percheron Stallion for long enough!

[Thomas_1]

[QUOTE=SmokenMirrors;5167871]
Isn’t slapping the lines on your team or 4 in hand or whatever you drive in poor form or shows your lack of driving skill? This is only what I personally have been told and I try to never slap my driving lines on my team at all, preferring to use voice commands and/or a touch or tap of the whip to their hip or haunch.

I won’t say I have never done it, I have but not very often to worry about it.[/QUOTE] Yes most definitely.

[SmartAlex]

Yup, here in America we slap those reins and holler Yee Ha! Just to really confuse them

ETA: My grandmother, who grew up at the end of the horse and buggy days, remembers that her father used to drive constantly tapping the reins on the horse as if they were a gas pedal that needed constant attention. Even as a child, she said she thought “how ignorant”. Her own grandfather had been a horseman with a pair of palomino morgans that he was very proud of. She said apparently horse sense skipped a generation there.

[RMJacobs]

Shortly after we got our pontoon boat last year, I started teaching Salt port and starboard for left and right. Well, that got old in a hurry, especially since I am directionally challenged, and I went back to strictly using the lines for turns. It’s a bit odd as I use voice commands for most everything else with him and when I used to drive Crackers.

Salt will stop nicely with a quiet “ho” and no cue at all on the lines. Crackers always needed to be reminded to stop with the lines. However, Crackers would reliably back with voice command only, while Salt needs a little reminder from the lines to back up about half the time. I think the difference is that Crackers always wanted to go, go, go while Salt would always rather take a nap than work.

Rebecca

[TulsaFlood]

I grew up in MN with old Finnish horsemen and I was taught vowels were important for work horses. I own Belgians and Clydesdale .
The reason being it’s clearly understood in a snowstorm from 80 feet away. When logging you are often shouting commands from s distance.

gEE hAw whOa. bAck. step UUp.

Puts the horse where you want him without walking over and taking lines.