Teething Trouble on our first Horse Drawn Carriage Driving

Although it seems we planned this horse drawn carriage driving much too fast, we have never worked out a plan as thoroughly as this one.In February 2005 came the first idea, in October of that year we bought Aysha and Isabella, the caravan in March 2006. We sold the house in September and from November 2006 we’ve been living in the wagon.

Stripped

The carriage has been stripped, adapted, improved and secured. The ladies have been trained two times a week; they have been fed and trimmed. The gear is collected, composed and custom fit. Important documents have been scanned and filed. The technique has been both, installed and modified. Communication with loved ones is possible using GPRS satellite and modem.

Special clothing has been bought and our feet have been spoiled with firm shoes. In short: the family Verhoeckx (plus herd) is ready…. little can go wrong from her…so we thought.

Small Impression

Just to give a small impression of what we have encountered in two weeks travelling with this horse drawn carriage. On a very bad sandy path we lost the boxes under the wagon and we crushed a hatch on the side of the wagon.We lost a bucket because we left it in the pasture,. A rope is lost from the wagon and Isabella gets sand colic and is in need of a vet.The horseshoes are not staying on their hoofs properly and small wounds appear on the hoofs. The hoofs are getting (too) short.

A tether scrapes along Isabella’s legs, to Aysha it happens as well and they both make a scrape to the pastern. John sprains his thumb and is having trouble driving. We get stuck on a roundabout and almost hit a lantern.

What we encounter as well: In a small place, we ask for direction to a walker and he provides us with a detailed map of the area! We took a wrong turn and a young couple helps us with turning around the carriage. We are able to stay longer at a camping because of the heavy snowfall. We get too "wash and dry" our laundry twice.

We receive a bale of hay and a bucket with carrots. We drive around at a footpace through a natural reserve and the smirk on our face is almost embarrassing. The horses take their first hill without any problems (and the brakes really work!).

To see more about Horse Carriage techniques and Driving:

Other specific horse drawn caravan accessories

Blacksmith

After the bad luck we had with the hoofs, the host is arranging a blacksmith. We stay next to this farm for four days. The horses are consuming grass on grassland where easily 20 animals could be together at the same time. The same host provide us with some minor repairs and good advice.

We call people from the broadcast program and within two minutes we have arranged a new spot.My mood changes from euphoria to a low point and up again. When family arrives unexpected I almost burst out in tears. I can feel the more than warm welcome from the guest family in Schijndel through my entire body. They’re all ups and downs, highlights and rock bottom. But one thing is for sure this horse drawn carriage journey and driving this great roads lets me feel alive!

Thea.

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