Filed under: January 2013
Justin …”Hands on training”
January 17, 2013
Last evening after getting a load of wood, we parked the sled out by the sugarhouse. It is better there since the snow melted. The gravel drive is hell on wooden runners! Anyway, once the sled was parked, the horses had to be driven to the barn. I handed the lines to Justin for him to drive them home.
He is a natural on the lines. He seemes to know just how much pressure to use. My horses are “up on the bit” so you need to take ahold and drive them. Sloppy lines are for whimps. My horses are alert and on the job… not crazy… just confident.
I could feel Justin’s nervousness when I handed him the lines for the first time, but after just a few yards I could see his confidence building. By the time we got to the barn , his chest was even sticking out a little. Yep, he’s hooked on draft horses 😮
I know what it feels like to have the lines in your hands for the first time. It’s much like the first time driving a car. Sure, you are puffed with pride and full of excitement, but the real statement is the fact that someone had enough confidence in you to say , “Go ahead, it’s your turn.” These are turning points in a guys’s life.
I took those times to heart. I always tried to do my best. There were times when my best wasn’t good enough, but I did learn something every time. That way, the next time I did better. I believed in myself…sometimes when many folks didn’t, but I would stand up, spit out the dirt and have another try at it.
Life is about getting knocked down once in awhile. It doesn’t matter how many times it happens… What matters is that you get up every time, square your shoulders and try it again! You can call it stupidity sometimes, but it builds confidence…and if you need anything in this world … It’s confidence… mixed with a little humility , of course 😮
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RicelandMeadows 
I love that you use your horses so often.. I am spoiled and just have horses for shows and rodeos. I wish I had someone close to here to show me how to work them. I would love to cut hay and rake it, but maybe use the tractor to bale it. My grandfather also used to have a garden when I was little for us to work in, but he was really proud of Modern Technology and wouldn’t show us how to plow with horses. I am worried learning strictly from the internet may lead me to trouble. Maybe my trusty old roping horse will help me learn. He will dally off the saddle and has even pulled a plow this way just to move it, but I know it’s not as comfortable as the harness for pulling. Thank you for having this blog. It is very helpful!
Comment by Sunnie February 4, 2013 @ 12:06 amHaving a horse is a good thing no matter what. Where are you located? Perhaps there is someone close who will help you learn.
The more you use horses, the better they get. There is nothing like it.
I like the old ways, but do adapt now and then. I think it is prudent to use both the old and new ways.
Keep up the good work, have a garden, read what you can and do what you can. You will be amazed at just what you can do.
Thanks for your kind words and thanks for following along on the Blog … Ralph
Comment by ricelandmeadows February 4, 2013 @ 1:04 am