|
Post by gonewiththewind on Oct 6, 2007 8:01:27 GMT
I can drive coachman but I hate it and dont feel under control. I took my road driving assessment though and didnt get corrected on my rein handling so I assume I really can do it right. I teach that way too (mean me). My hands and wrists arent really strong enough for one handed turns so I have adapted my own way of doing it but you turn your hand the opposite way to the way you want to go - if that makes sense. To look at your watch your are turning your hand to the right but you will then turn left.
|
|
|
Post by wally on Oct 6, 2007 9:27:16 GMT
Same here, happyhorsedriver, when you are given two reins in one hand and a whip in the other and expected to control a horse you think it's impossible. I actually find driving two handed harder work on my arms these days.
|
|
|
Post by wally on Oct 6, 2007 9:30:53 GMT
gonewiththewind ( I do wish you all had shorter usernames! ) I think the road driving assesment is meant to test you on your ability to drive safely on the road. All kinds of rein handling are allowed, so long as you are safe and in control. It's only with the stages they want to see that you can demonstrate both methods. I got told off for bridging my reins, but was not failed or knocked down for it. Told not to get into the habit of it if I wanted to go farther up the BDS stages, which is sensible.
|
|
hazl
Single Pony
Posts: 26
|
Post by hazl on Oct 6, 2007 10:05:41 GMT
As I understand it my right (whip) hand is also a back up to the left. When I first was told how to do this I practiced by putting an old set of riding reins round my foot (stop laughing ;D) so that I got the feel of it and didnt have too many cockups out amongst the unsuspecting public.
|
|
|
Post by donkeymad on Oct 6, 2007 16:44:50 GMT
You can see I'm going to be trouble can't you??
|
|
|
Post by happyhorsedriver on Oct 6, 2007 18:47:39 GMT
To be honest with you it does sound complicated but once you get the hang of it you find it harder to go back driving with two hands, I have tried and don't feel as in control as I do when driving coachman and if you progress to driving multiples it is an easier transition or so I've been told. In showing classes I personally think it is a lot nicer seeing drivers driving coachman as it is much more elegant than yehaing around with reins in both hands which I am seeing more of in the show ring not nice!
|
|
|
Post by Kaz on Oct 6, 2007 18:52:49 GMT
I dont like driving two handed either. I have driven coahcman since the start and find it odd driving two handed. Coachman is just second nature once you have done it.
|
|
Blossom
Pony Pair
Kilmannan Blossom, dales pony
Posts: 361
|
Post by Blossom on Oct 6, 2007 19:53:24 GMT
Hmmm...it sounds very much like western riding (one handed) once you've gotten the hang of it.
|
|
|
Post by gonewiththewind on Oct 7, 2007 9:23:10 GMT
Kaz, I first l learned to drive coachman 15 years ago, and I still hate it! though I can do it. Wally, who did you do your road test with. The test sheet has about coachman on it and the examiner said she would fail anyone that didnt drive coachman and she didnt want to hear any complaints about it. When she was teaching the next day she seemed to insist that most of the others drive coachman but told me she wasnt bothered how I drove - I did in fact drive coachman so she could check me over.
|
|