Amy L. Wink, Ph.D.

amywink February 4th, 2012

Since I have been “living” at Taipan Station, one of the most joyous experiences has been the always enthusiastic greetings from all the dogs. It is, after all, a place named for a dog– the original Taipan I who I did not have the pleasure of knowing. Since I’ve been dogless in my own life the last year, the Taipan Pack has been giving me all of the dog attention I have needed while I wait for my own dog to arrive (and I have a plan for that this year). From the smallest, Cookie, to the oldest, Chloe, everyone has been doing their doggie darndest to make sure I had enough dog time.

This past year, Taipan (the 2nd), the chocolate lab, has done his therapeutic work for me, always greeting me with his Labrador grin and always always bringing a stick, or log, or stump, for retrieving, or picking up my grooming brushes to draw my attention away from the horses.

Falling in love with someone else’s dog is always tricky but has some excellent benefits–a pleasant little love triangle with all of the benefits and none of the problems. Of course, falling in love with a dog means opening oneself up to the pain of losing the dog, even if he belongs to someone else.

Yesterday, we all lost Taipan.

He’s buried now in the pasture so his spirit will remain with the place but it’s very hard to say goodbye to such a great dog.

• carriage dogs , grief , pet loss
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amywink June 13th, 2010

Friday, I took my first solo drive with Will! We have been working consistently on hitching independently and doing very well at it. Friday I drove down to see the horses early, not intending to drive, however, since someone was on property, and the breezes were cool, I decided to try it, one step at a time, deciding to opt out if anything went slightly askew.

Will came up easily, and harnessed easily, turning on his “old cart horse” persona after the breast collar went on. Step one complete

He walked, half-asleep, to the carriage. Step Two complete.

He slept while I hooked. Step Three complete.

He stood, still asleep, while I climbed in and got settled. Step 4 complete.

He stood. Step 5 complete.

So, we headed off on our first independent drive.

We were not entirely alone, however, because Cookie decided that since one of the carriages was out and she was The Carriage Dog, the carriage was where she was supposed to be, even if it wasn’t “her” carriage. And in she went, setting up her place on the back seat, where she stayed the entire trip!

Smart Cookie!!

We had a completely uneventful trip around the property, trotting up and down the road, through the trails in the front pasture, back down to the barn, and finished our drive peacefully. We unhitched without any issue and finished our first independent drive very very happily. Will thought so too!

• Uncategorized , Carriage Driving , Morgan horses , carriage dogs
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amywink February 16th, 2010

Actually, it was our first drive since the last weekend of November, 2009! The weather has been horrendous and rain, rain, rain has kept the fields muddy muddy muddy. We had a break this weekend. Saturday was nice and Sunday morning I decided that we had to drive, even if it was just down the caliche road. We had a window of good weather before the cold front was supposed to move in late Sunday afternoon so Lisa and I got busy and got to driving.

It was great to be back “behind the reins” and both horses were complete champs. Like we hadn’t missed a day of our regular driving schedule. Will was a little speedy in his trot but he responded well to my hands and never got too heady for his own good. He jumped a bit when the hens cackled as we drove by but again, came right back to me. It was another milestone, our first drive after a long lay off of 2 and a half months. I expected more fireworks and rodeo but we just had a nice calm drive and I think both of us really enjoyed it.

Here he is sporting his Christmas buckle-nose halter, a gift from his herd.

The buckle-nose worked great for harnessing and I really think it looks quite fashionable as well. I’m calling it his “dress halter”. He has gained a little weight in his time off and we had to let out his harness a tad in the false martingale and the girth but I’m sure we’ll work it off as we get back to business. He had plenty of energy and wasn’t breathing hard when we finished and he even looked pleased about the day.

It was also a very big day for Cookie who had her first Carriage Dog lesson. She’s quite the charmer and seems to enjoy the attention.

About 3:30 we noticed the skies darkening in the northwest as the front approached, the clouds rolled in quick and the front arrived with fierce winds that excited the horses. They dashed about their pasture wildly and Will seems to be thinking “Wheeeeeeeeeeeee”

By the time I got to the gate, the blue skies were gone and clouds were racing in on the cold air:

But all that mattered to me was the wonderful drive we’d finally squeezed in. I hope we can get back to our regular driving schedule as we approach the spring.

• nature , Carriage Driving , Morgan horses , cart building , carriage dogs
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