October 21st 2023

Tandem hitches

This week we started practicing tandem hitches, which is where the horses are driven one in front of another instead of side by side. There was a demonstration in Vermont about driving “four up”  (two in front and two in back) and they spoke to some advantages while working in narrow spaces which can’t always accommodate four abreast (abreast is horses all standing in a row side by side). We had a little time this week to introduce the concept to the horses and ourselves. The biggest difference is that we are now managing two sets of driving lines independently and driving two animals as individuals. I thought I’d make it easier and break down the four horse hitch into twos instead. I later learned this is commonly considered the hardest hitch to drive. Zoe and I have spent a bit of time learning and practicing. It has made me feel like a beginner all over again. I’ve driven horses long enough now that I can see a few moves ahead. I anticipate what they’re going to go and how they’ll respond and how I’ll react to that response. And now everything is happening just a little differently. What I think is a small turn, becomes a 180, and then I follow up with an overcorrection. This is often the trouble with new teamsters. Everything is simply too much. To big, to dramatic, to loud, to often, to hard in the hands… and the horse is picking up the slack. They’re doing precisely what they’re told, which can be so frustrating for everyone involved. Finally, after a hundred hours or so, everything softens a bit. You correct things sooner, when they’re much smaller, and you’re able to be much softer. This week I’m ask myself where I’m still living as a student driver. Where am I overdoing it? Where am I over correcting? Where am I withholding to protect myself? Where am I refusing to soften? And maybe more importantly, who is picking up the slack? I’m making a little progress everyday, which is how the most important work often goes.