Update: Driving Rosie

Tuesday, July 09, 2019

I’ve written about the effort it’s taken to rehabilitate Rosie from an old leg injury that negatively had affected her gaits. Over the last months, her wellness and strength have improved and she’s taught me more about driving. Rosie has a mind of her own and handling her requires self-assurance. We assuaged her physical discomfort through medicine and regular exercise until she became strong enough to be hitched, and I could start driving her around in the dry lot. Rosie is a high-energy horse and until my driving confidence grew, I lacked the courage to drive her out onto the neighborhood’s paved streets.

We’ve come a long way, for these days Rosie pulls me through the streets without spooking or misbehaving. She needs a technically-strong driver, to keep her from looking around and moving the carriage as she would. I must focus on keeping her head in a forward position–not letting her look around and twist–and in keeping her direction straight, without repeated waverings from the street’s side, to its middle, or where she wants to trot.

As I drive Rosie, our trainer’s oft-repeated words sound in my head: “Thumbs up, hands parallel, elbows back, shoulders relaxed.” These technicalities work because Rosie notices and responds to my reins. But now, we’re ready for more help.

This week, when Rosie and I travel our trainer, in Lebanon, she’ll be our passenger on the streets and will coach my driving in real-time, helping me understand how to improve in our progress. I’ve learned through Rosie, that while a horse is essential in the driving experience, equally so is a driver’s handling skills.

I’m looking forward to this on-the-road session.

Dear Friends, It’s a dream-come-true, driving this interesting, talented Rosie. Diana