I think it was also used in a “Gunsmoke” episode…
Also in Wuthering Heights… except instead of twins Francis Earnshaw got consumption and then died!
But what about the Birtwick Balls?
Oh, and where’s little Joe Green? 
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.
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!!! 
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).
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. 
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=HiyoSilver;5166621
Anna Sewell LIVES![/QUOTE]
My first thought too !
[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!
[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.
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.
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
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.
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