Driving ponies...what type??

SatansLittleHelper said:
Is it that addictive?? Lol.
I've been offered a 7 year old Sec A that's been a companion all his life...would he be worth a look or should I stick to a Shetland?? Ideally need to stay under 11.2hh x
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So long as you can be sure that he really has just been a companion, and take someone with you who is experienced enough to gauge his temperament and reaction to scary situations. I had a very expensive and frightening experience with an "unbroken" 6 year old, I am 99% sure he was a failed driven pony, but I bought him off someone I knew and foolishly believed her.
 
re. the shetlands I think a standard is emminently more practical.

A 7yo section that's always been a companion could be great, but could also be a PITA if it's never been anywhere and seen anything.
 
I have found that the ideal height is an inch or so either side of 12.2hh - you can easily see and reach around as you're tacking up, and if the pony is built well, it will make light work of a modern carriage with multiple people on board.

Look for something with a short back - you have less length of rein between hand and bit, and your turnout has a smaller turning circle.
 
Make sure sec A has its head screwed on-my welsh a has been a companion last 8 years or so, but he's also been out to county shows, led off my pony, schooled etc which is very different to being sat in a field. IME welsh A's are fantastic when on side-my welsh is so responsive to the voice, light in the hand, and extremely switched on-but that does mean he needs a firm and confident hand!
 
pennyturner said:
I have found that the ideal height is an inch or so either side of 12.2hh - you can easily see and reach around as you're tacking up, and if the pony is built well, it will make light work of a modern carriage with multiple people on board.

Look for something with a short back - you have less length of rein between hand and bit, and your turnout has a smaller turning circle.
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you've just described my mealie, 12.3h, short backed, built like an outhouse with a really good front on him.
 
Welsh every time :p We've got a (standard) shetland and I know many and I know a handful of mini-cobs but the welshes are so much more versatile if you get one that's not a weed. I've been lucky and not had a spooky purebred welsh :p Honestly though I would look for something up and running that you can drive when you try it, whatever breed that may be. Sub 10hh and you really will be limited to short drives unless it's sharper than you are likely to want, over 12hh and you'll be able to go all day, but it's up to you to actually like the pony. Plenty of good heinzes about.
 
Mine was unshod when I bought her. She has subsequently been shod but I have a very pro shoe farrier. She hasn't had shoes on over the winter because I knew I wouldn't be doing much (other life events) and to give her feet a break, so far she's been fine but with very little work. I am going to try and keep her barefoot if possible, I know it can be done.
 
Only if they need it for the level of work, so in practice the shetland was unshod while most of our As were shod, a couple only infront. My 12.3 PBA was never shod whilst the rest of the riding pony/Bs were fully shod. They all get shoes off in the off season.
 
Mines a big driving pony and hes not shod. We havent yet cracked the proper hard fitness that I want for him, but he has been more than happy doing 8 miles 3 or 4 times a week with an hours work in the school the other days. I cant see him ever needing shoes and to be honest, with him I'd rather drop the workload than shoe. I know one of my instructors boots her shetland team rather than shoe them so that might be an option.
 
Chuffy99 said:
Do you shoe your small driving ponies?
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I drive the following, all barefoot:
1 shetland
2 dartmoors (OK, one hasn't been in harness for years, but lack of shoes wouldn't stop him)
1 welsh A
2 small new forest

Also 5 larger ponies.

Of the above, only one has ever had shoes, and he took some months to adjust. The others are happy on anything other than very sharp stones - the kind of thing you'd have to slow down for even with shoes.
Our drives out are be approx 10-15 miles.
 
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