The Colors Horses See

This is how scientists think horses see color. If this is true, then imagine how our carriage driving horses see bright orange or yellow cones when placed on green grass. Look at the similarity of how horses apparently see the bright orange clothing of the two girls and the green grass of the field in the background.

Note also that horses see black and white much the same way humans do.

American Driving Society & Morgan Horses @ WEG

SBS Risky Business ~ Jeff Morse, Driver; Jen Morse Navigator

American Driving Society Driving Derby
and
American Morgan Horse Association Breed Presentation
at the
2010 World Equestrian Games
Equine Village, Kentucky Horse Park, Lexington, KY

WEG Morgan Demo

WEG: The Driving Nuns

WEG Highlight
Well, this was unique! The Wisconsin Halflingers demo was the entire recreation of the Sound of Music. I have never seen a nun driving before......likely never will again.

We are off to the WEG!

We're off to the 2010 World Equestrian Games!

SBS Risky Business, driven by Jeff Morse with Jen Morse as Navigator, will represent the Morgan Breed for the American Morgan Horse Association, September 29 - Oct 2 and then compete in a Driving Derby for the American Driving Society, Oct 3-Oct 6th, in the Equine Village at the Kentucky Horse Park.
Hope to see you there!

Chiro Anyone??

This is why horses might benefit from chiropractic adjustment. Envision the curvature of the spine from head to tail and the muscles that attach and support it. Think what is going on in the pelvic area here.

Cart Saddle

From: Moseman's Illustrated Catalog of Horse Furnishing's and Goods

Example of a Cart Saddle.
The Tug Chain is like a sliding back band and slides through a channel running over the back. These were used on cart horse that pulled very heavy loads. Click on the illustration for a larger view.

A Good Morgan Pair

2010 Vermont Heritage Days Novice Carriage Driving Champions

Marle Hill Concert Master (Charlestown Symphonic x Marlehill's Anniversary, br 1996)
Rum Brook Gallant Rhythm (Green Meads Galaxy x Rum Brook Promis Promise , br 1999)

Driven by Jeff Morse
Owned by Liz and David Herrick, Mount Vernon, NH

Training Began in 1952

From Generations

Jeff Morse began training horses in 1952

From Generations

Summer Haircuts

Jackson with Uncle J

Why not metric?

GREEN = Countries which have officially adopted the metric system
GRAY = Countries which have not officially adopted the metric system (US, Myanmar, Liberia)

Graceful Locomotion

"Always bow when meeting acquaintances on the street. A curtsy is not consistent with graceful locomotion." ~ Etiquette for Women - 1882

They had such a way with words. Unlike this fellow 100 years later.

Why Auto Racing is like Combined Driving

Great quotes that may apply to how you view Combined Driving

If you’re in control, you’re not going fast enough. – Parnelli Jones

To finish first, you must first finish. – Rick Mears

Nobody remembers the guy who finished second but the guy who finished second. – Bobby Unser

The winner ain’t the one with the fastest car, it’s the one who refuses to lose. – Dale Earnhardt

You win some, you lose some, you wreck some. – Dale Ernhardt Sr.

Faster, faster, faster, until the thrill of speed overcomes the fear of death… – Hunter Thompson

I don’t know driving in another way which isn’t risky. Each one has to improve himself. Each driver has its limit. My limit is a little bit further than other’s. – Ayrton Senna

To achieve anything in this game you must be prepare to dabble in the boundary of disaster. – Sterling Moss

What’s behind you doesn’t matter. – Enzo Ferrari

When you win a race you’re on top that day, so take it for what its worth, have a good time and party, cause the next day when you get out of bed, the meter goes back to zero again. – Bobby Allison

If you can leave two black stripes from the exit of one corner to the braking zone of the next, you have enough horsepower. – Mark Donohue

Why worry about death, it’ll come sooner or later. – Jim Dunn

Speed has never killed anyone, suddenly becoming stationary… that’s what gets you. – Jeremy Clarkson

Auto racing began 5 minutes after the second car was built. – Henry Ford

You can tell that you’re in trouble when you feel the air on the back of your neck instead of in your face. – Buddy Baker

I got hit in the head pretty hard. My clock ran backwards for two years. – Buddy Baker

He ran out of talent about halfway through the corner. – Buddy Baker
After the third flip, I lost control………… – Don Roberts after crashing in the Jade Grenade at New England Dragway in 1975.

Just added: Clinic in New Mexico

From the 2009 Clinic

Before/After

April 3 and 4, 2010
Carriage Driving Clinic at the home of:

Tom and Lisa Phillips
10916 N Valley Dr
Las Cruces, NM 88007

Contact:
twinpine@q.com
(575) 526-1028 - Home
575-644-5216 - Mobile

Upcoming Clinics

Absolute Morgan Farm Clinic Series

Clinic Dates for 2010

March 6/7 ~ April TBA ~ May 1/2 ~ June 26/27
July 17/18 ~ August 28/29 ~ September 25/26

Absolute Morgan Farm

139 Schoolhouse Road -Waltham, VT 05491
Contact: Janet Yager at 802.545.2457

morgans@madriver.com

More....

Thank You for attending the webinar!

Over 700 people registered for the webinar: Harness, Bits and More, making it the most successful ADS webinar so far. Thanks to those of you who participated and we look forward to more of you next time. Check the ADS web site webinar link for updates on future webinars.

Thanks again! ~ Jeff

Free ADS Webinar: Harness, Bits and More

AADS Presents a free webinar Harness, Bits and More with Jeff Morse

Join us for a Webinar on February 11 Jeff shares his extensive knowledge of harness and bits with the driving community. Whether you are a beginning driver or an experienced whip, this seminar will provide useful, practical knowledge on the most common equipment used for driving horses. Jeff Morse has been a professional horseman for more 40 years. He currently serves on the USEF Morgan and Carriage Pleasure Committees and is the ADS Pleasure Driving Committee Chairman. He has been training horses since 1970, Specializing in Carriage Driving for horses, ponies and people since 1980. Currently training people and horses for carriage driving at Green Meads Farm, celebrating its 85th year, in Richmond, MA. Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/809783306 Title: Harness, Bits and More Date: Thursday, February 11 Time: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME Cost: FREE After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.4 (Tiger®) or newer

Don't hook your horse like this!

This is not fair to the horse or to the people involved.

All participants are SO fortunate not to have gotten injured in this episode.

Unfortunately, it is scenarios like this that make business for trainers.

It is so unnecessary to go about it this way.

I can hardly count all the things that are unsafe and just plain wrong with this.

I do NOT want to get the call to fix this horse!

San Francisco 1906: video on the street

This film, originally thought to be from 1905 until David Kiehn with the Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum figured out exactly when it was shot. From New York trade papers announcing the film showing to the wet streets from recent heavy rainfall & shadows indicating time of year & actual weather and conditions on historical record, even when the cars were registered (he even knows who owned them and when the plates were issued!).. It was filmed only four days before the quake and shipped by train to NY for processing. Amazing but true! Music: "La Femme D'Argent " from the "Moon Safari" album by Air