Most of you have read my posts about the challenges I've had re-training and teaching respect and manners to the new Belgian we bought to replace our injured boy last year. At 18.1 hands and 2100 lbs, he was a beast that seemed to enjoy pushing and dragging me around whenever he wanted. Because I don't use cruel or forceful training methods, I had to get creative a few times to teach him the correct responses to my cues. It has taken a while, but he has improved dramatically, and I am thrilled with it. It has really boosted my confidence in handling and training these big boys. He still has bad days, but they are rare now. Thankfully, today was not one of them!

I developed a temporary health issue and was put on "prescribed rest" a week ago, so hubby has taken over all chores. He doesn't normally handle or work the horses much--just not his thing. This morning, he harnessed them up, hitched them to the forecart while they were tied to the hitching post, and decided to get them ready for me to come drive for a few minutes to complete some tasks. Mind you, this is the horse that was partly responsible for seriously injuring my husband 5 months ago in a bad accident that resulted in part from him not stopping when told (he lunged forward instead). Anyway, once again, human error could've caused a wreck today. Turns out, when hubby harnessed and hooked everything up, somehow, he just plum forgot to attach the outside line to the horse's bit. He released them from the hitching post, climbed onto the forecart, asked them to back away from the rail, turned them 90', walked forward, and asked for a "Whoa." And the horse did! He was actually in the midst of the turn, when I saw the line hanging there, and yelled at him to stop. He made a stupid mistake, certainly. He said the horse seemed a little confused and kept leaning to the inside, and hubby couldn't figure out why, but HE LISTENED to the commands AND followed the direction of the lead horse. I am just thrilled. This is a different horse then the one who came here a year ago! Such a great feeling!

Congratulations on your success. Hard work does pay off!

That certainly is a success! Congratulations!
Nevertheless, do not have this happen again. At a different time it might end differently.
Good lesson for everyone, always check your lines before you drive. Has happened to me, so from then on I always was extra careful.

After harnessing, it is always best to do a walk around and do a final Pre Flight check so to speak. It sure saved my butt several times.

So nice when you can see the results of persistance and consistency.

I generally do a walk around like Vince suggested, and have definitely found a few things! Whenever we do hired rides, we check each other's work. Yesterday was one of those exceptions where he was doing a different job than normal and got in a bit of a hurry, plus was also a little distracted by a visitor. I just happened to walk out as he was turning the team and saw the buckle. Live and Learn (and hope you live through the learning!).

I have to admit that same mistake too except I was ground driving. I've also had more than one person holler at me and run up all excited about something wrong on my harness only to find out that I use(d) and old snaffle bit as a center line drop ring. Somehow they thought my bit was out.