Bit of help needed regarding driving..

Mynyddcymro

Mynyddcymro

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Hi all, could do with one or two questions answering for me and by the looks of it quite a few of you drive on here..

I'm looking at the possibility of having a go at driven showing although I don't know if my cart is suitable? And if it is, under what class we would 'fit'.. (I also understand I will need a second person alongside me in the cart - something lacking in my pictures)

Have attached a couple of pictures...
(I am aware harness needs adjusting in the first two pictures, it was his first time in the cart and all a bit trial and error with regards to altering to suit him!)
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The harness is leather and another one would be out of the question as this one cost me an arm and a leg!
The cart was hand made by my Grandad for my 18th and is finally being put to use two years later!
Any tips etc will be greatly appreciated and taken on board.
Thanks!
 
No tips/advice I'm afraid, but just wanted to say what a lovely 18th birthday present! And what a gorgeous pony!
I'm just about to start refurb-ing a scratty old cart I have bought with the intention of breaking my mare to drive :) cannot wait! I think she'll be grand at it :D
My OH's mum drives a pair of shetty's, and is good friends with a lady that drives a team of 4 and regularly competes at driven dressage! Looks like so much fun!
 
Thanks for the reply, he made me cry that day, it was so unexpected! It's absolutely beautiful, he put so much work in, even hand plaited and stitched the leather :)

This is what it was like when he picked it up:
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The majority of the wood was rotten and had to be replaced..

And here it is on the day in all its glory!

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It is so much fun and has given Tigger a job which he secretly enjoys!
 
I'm sorry I don't know anything about showing. I'm strictly a green lane 'get muddy' type myself. I'd like to say what a good restoration job though.
It looks from the pictures the ends of the shafts are dangerously close to the tugs (especially on the last pic). If they ever came out the shafts will dig in the ground and catapult you out of the seat faster than you can react. Also if you ever do any off road I'd consider 21" motorbike wheels instead of the pushbike one you have fitted. The wheel spindles are very thin on bike wheels. Apart for that your Granddad is a magician :)
 
Just an aside- The breast collar is a little too low, it should sit above his shoulders at the front. The line of draft is going up to the cart, rather than down to it- the line of draft should allow the horse to push up into the breastcollar to pull the weight, your pony is almost having to push down to pull, and the breast collar sitting as low as it is at the moment may make him sore sooner rather than later.
 
Lazybee - I was wondering if that would be picked up on, I could do with having another hole put through the leather so will see if the OH can help me with that (I tried and failed with a hole punch)
Also agree with the wheels but really we only go around the estate which is all roads and the odd bit around the flat paddock in the summer when dry. Sadly we have no where to hack or drive off road but well worth knowing if that ever changed in the future!

Kate - thanks for that, we are in Shropshire, the only way of getting the cart there would be to actually drive and theres only two shows close enough (at West Mid show ground) but unsure if there will be classes yet.
 
Yes I agree with that especially in the first two, like I said it was very much a steep learning curve to start when these pictures were taken. Will get someone to take some recent pictures now I've adjusted it and see how it sits, thankyou!
 
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