Buying a trap for a small pony

muff747

muff747

Well-Known Member
Joined
8 June 2011
Messages
973
Location
Fullers Earth
Visit site
Can peeps tell me about their experiences with buying and using a trap to exercise their small ponies please.
I do have some area's where I could drive a trap without using main roads but wondered if there are any other problems I should be aware of?
Thanks
 
Don't how much experience you have with driving but I bought all the kit with the intention of exercising the little ponie but never got round to actually getting them broken in. What I found you had to look out for was dodgy home made carts that you couldn't adjust the balance and there are many that don't have a swingle tree which you need if you are using a breast plate type harness. You will also need a helper unless you and the pony are a dab hand at hitching up. Sorry hope I'm not telling a grandma how to suck eggs!
 
OH drives 2 30" Shetlands, single in a Robinsons cart and pair in their posh one lol!! they really seem to enjoy it and belt around the fields in the Robinsons, do cones etc in the sand school in the winter, keeps them fit and working.
 
Don't know how much experience you have, but if you're a newbie, definitely try to find someone who will take you out with them to see what it's like. Some people never get on with the distance between themselves and pony and the increased risk.

Some safety knowledge is non-negotiable (look at that poor woman killed last year by total numpty who took bridle off hitched up). You can also REALLY upset your pony with a relatively small schoolgirl error. It's a bit of an art to get your harness / vehicle correctly adjusted etc, and no driving person will think any less of you for asking them to review your outfit.

I disagree with the comment above about adjustable balance being a must-have. One of my best exercise carts is a gypsy-built thing, and it balances just the way it is. You can adjust tug height if you need to.
 
I am a complete beginner and need all the help I can get so thanks so far!
I would have to get some lessons and I have an 11.3 Caspian mini horse and she needs exercising so I wondered how difficult it would be to get set up and to actually get around.
But first of all how do I find out if she has been broken to drive? She is a rescue and so we haven't got all her history, but I have long reined her and she seems to know her stuff. I realise long reining is not the same as being broken to drive but how do I find out, just hitch her up somewhere safe, like in an arena?
 
Please please please .do not just "hitch up" your pony. Get some help from someone who knows what they are talking about. Learn to drive properly, get your pony properly broken to drive. Find help from experienced people via the British Driving Society website Then you and your pony can enjoy a safe(ish0 driving experience.
 
Hi again.
So I have posted in the Training section and on the Yorkshire regional board too asking for recommendations of driving instructors but had only one vague reply.
Does anyone who answered here know of an instructor somewhere near West Yorkshire?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top