| Author | Message | ||
     Karen Bassett Member Username: Knb Post Number: 3 Registered: 01-2011 |
Hi Anne. I have seen this behavior many times,and I don't wish to be the bearer of bad news but in nearly all cases it starts because one of your ponies is now feeling the hardness of the road and is uncomfortable. You say Onions may have been the one who started it so I would begin with her. Tripe has no choice but to counter lean to stay upright. See if your farrier can put pads on under the shoes and try Devils Claw. Keep them off the road for as long as possible to try get them out of the habit. Good luck. | ||
| Lester Dagge Member Username: Lester Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2011 |
Hi Anne, just read your post and know EXACTLY what you are experiencing. I have the same issue with my Welsh ponies, the older and more experienced they get, the more sensitive they become. I don't think it is much to do with 'mechanics' but more psychological. Your job is to identify what is upsetting them. I have re-worked the fitting of the harness, the pole position IS critical and have extended the length of the pole straps which has helped mve them away from the pole, as well as tightening up; the traces. I know you are supposed to change sides regularly, but they DO prefer their own sides, so stick with whatever keeps them happy. Check that they have the same paces, this can have a HUGE effect, one many be forward going, the other less so, so this could cause you problems! To overcome all of this, try working them more often as singles and use them less as a pair. When you do school them as a pair, keep relaxed and do more work at a walk. You will be able to study their individual personalities and recognise any issues here (I did when one of the ponies decided to become far more forward going than the other). Make any exercise fun and pleasurable, so stick to off road if it keeps them happy, if you have to do roadwork, try out new routes for them, they soon get bored of the same old route and fall into a bad routine just to annoy you!, Hope this info helps, it did for me! | ||
| Anne Radcliffe Member Username: Puppies Post Number: 4 Registered: 06-2009 |
Thank you Janet and Louise for your suggestions.I have just had their backs looked at again, Onions needed quite a bit of manipulation to her pelvis and withers, but Tripe was OK, The farrier comes next week so I will discuss shoes pinching with him, but maybe they need shoeing more frequently, although their feet look in very good condition and not overgrown. I would be interested to hear what your person says Louise. I am now busy long reining them and driving them singly, hoping to give them a break from driving together. We live in hopes!! | ||
| Janet Sycamore Member Username: Janets Post Number: 2 Registered: 12-2007 |
Hi Anne .. I have this problem intermittently with one of my boys usually when it is getting near to a visit from the farrier for a change of shoes last time he was really bad & all most undriveable pulling away so bad that the other one pulled in the opposite direction really hard just to stay on his feet ! poor boy The result was the shoe pinching his hoof after only 5 weeks since the last visit Trim up & new shoes ..magic my pony was back on form ..No more problems which was much relief for his partner !Just thought it may be worth considering ? Janet Sycamore | ||
| Louise White Member Username: Galerko Post Number: 1 Registered: 03-2010 |
Having the same problem with one of mine. My 15 yr old mare leans out horrendously while her 5 yr old son is a real little trooper and goes nice and straight. It is only on the roads so I imagine that it may be a confidence thing with her, she is brilliant single. Getting someone out to check the turnout over tomorrow will let you know what is said. | ||
| Anne Radcliffe Member Username: Puppies Post Number: 3 Registered: 06-2009 |
James and Sara thank you for your suggestions, I have been out with my grease gun but everything seems OK. I shall get some professional help with the setting up of the harness and now drive them as singles hoping they will get over this very dangerous habit as no fun driving them as they are. | ||
| James Binns Member Username: Jamesb Post Number: 8 Registered: 12-2008 |
Hi Anne, Just some thoughts, 1) Is the pole (turntable) free moving? It may need greesing or servicing. 2) Are the brakes binding at all? 3) Are the reins on the right way round? I am sure that you have probably already checked that, but just incase someone else had harnessed up for you and or have you changed the reins in any way or moved the buckle on the reins by accident when cleaning. Hope you find the problem, safe driving. James & Sara Binns | ||
| Anne Radcliffe Member Username: Puppies Post Number: 2 Registered: 06-2009 |
Thank you Anna for your useful suggestion - I shall certainly try and find a Pony Pair expert who can help me with the finer points of harness, pole length , pole straps etc. It just seems so odd having driven them for 10 years in the same trap and harness with no problems!I suppose that's life with Shetlands, they are such characters!! | ||
| Anna Grayston Member Username: Annagr Post Number: 6 Registered: 01-2009 |
Dear Anne, sorry to hear about your pair problems, oh the joys of driving a multiple! But I understand your frustration. Your best bet is to get your whole turnout checked, preferably from a UKcc Level 2 coach, or experienced Pair competitor,who can reassure you that you have turnout set up correctly. That will include pole length & height, pole strap tension, trace length,coupling rein adjustment etc as they all interact together and influence way of going. You've already taken lots of very sensible action with the ponies with regard to shoeing, teeth and backs so well done. I'm a huge advocate of single work for my pair, it really does help with their performance when back together so well worth the time spent. Perhaps starting with your local driving club for who to turn to? Hope that helps. (I do love your Shetties names!! They're great!) Good Luck Anna Grayston | ||
| Anne Radcliffe Member Username: Puppies Post Number: 1 Registered: 06-2009 |
Can anyone help? My 2 shetland ponies Tripe and Onions have decided after 10 years happy driving they do not like driving on the roads! They both pull away from the pole really badly making it extremely dangerous, as they very nearly slip over. I am driving them on different sides, which helps a little.I haven't driven them singly as yet. It all started when Onions I think really had a fear of slippery roads, but I now think it has become a physcological thing. They are regularly shod with road plugs in all 4 hooves, they have their teeth looked at and their backs. I have tried driving them very close coupled and very loose so that there isn't anything to lean on but neither seem to have any effect. I have tried getting really cross but it makes them worse. Sickeningly they will do this for half the drive then decide they can go quite well afterall until they create another issue!! It doesn't happen on grass thank heavens so it hasn't hindered our Private Driving. They are now 18 and 19yrs but they go like little bombs and love their work.I'm in despair any suggestions!! |