Just a quick check-in before church. Congratulations on a LOVELY cart Carly!! I'm quite envious, for sure. As to the cart, does it have a spares box? You'll need it once you start hooking up, to keep twine for fixing breaks, a very sharp knife in case you need it, a small hand pump if those are regular air tires (though they look like no flats) and other items that I'll have to look up to refresh my memory before I can tell you.
I see you've been doing your ground driving. Good for you, since you are incorporating obstacles, serpentines and other non straight line movements. We might be about the same stage, since Paula was kind enough to loan me a work harness for Spanky. He's 8" shorter than the Shetland she used it on, but his very ROUND barrel takes it up. It's good that you're getting him familiar with the cart. Just be sure he's ready before you hook him up. Spanky is goosey about his butt. Isn't too fond of the breeching, and definitely doesn't want a crupper! So guess what? He gets more time with stuff hanging over, under and around his hind end. From draping a loose crupper, to looping his tail to one side or the other and tucked under a part of the harness, to "accidentally" having a rein flip under his tail.....I use all these to desensitize him.
Kevin seems quite calm now that he's gelded (and has no Toby to instigate.) He seems to be tolerating a rider well, although I'd be keeping my eye on him if I were there. The hard eye and tight lifted nostrils are what caught my attention. Not saying there's anything wrong, just that I'd keep my awareness up. And whoda thunk they make Aussie saddles that small?!
Guess I got sidetracked. I meant to go on about having him dragging various stuff before hooking him up to such a lovely cart. If you have pool noodles you can start with typing them from the saddle and letting them drag along like shafts. They're soft and won't cause damage if he has a bit of a fit. You can also drape liter jugs with rocks inside them on him, small bits of blanket, whatever else you can safely use. From the noodles, you can transition to pvc pipe or small poles as shafts. Be sure to drive over obstacles when using your training shafts. That will accustom Kevin to having the shafts bouncing around on all parts of his sides, and to build his trust that you'll keep him safe.
Ok, that's really enough for a "just a quick comment" comment! LOL Have fun bringing him along. I guess we'll have to start our own driving thread to compare notes. It'll be interesting, since you're training to cart and I'm having to focus on work-type (think mini farm draft) exercises. While you and Kevin are having a nice day out trotting 'round the park, Spanky and I will be dragging little logs 'round the pasture. Happy days for everyone! :-)
