Driving ponies.

[PapaverFollis]

How much can they pull?

Just musing away, got a bee in my bonnet about driving at the moment. Don't worry I'm not impulsive so won't do anything silly, but my brain is tap tap tapping away so I need to find stuff out. ? my friend just got a Clydie and had her broken to drive and I'm insanely jealous. ?

What kind of weight can they pull compared to body weight? What's the smallest pony that could comfortably pull two adults on a small cart? I'm wondering if the next companion pony could be dual purpose.

I've only driven a couple of times so don't have much knowledge, though I did work with driving horses some years ago I don't remember much, it's probably a very stupid bonnet bee that needs to just calm down. But it won't go until I've talked it to death and MrPF is already ready to do a murder so I'm nagging you lot instead. ??

Plus it stops me thinking about being depressed for a bit.

Pictures of driving ponies would also be welcome!

 

[Equi]

They can pull massively more than you’d think. My minis pull me quite easily but I wouldn’t do many hills or go very far. My friends 12hh cob took us (twice) round a charity ride 90% in trot, it was about 5miles round. He was a super fit competition driver and neither of us are slinky.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

You either want a cob - coloured or Welsh- or 2 Shetlands. I would vote for the Shetland option myself! Way more fun!

 

[Gloi]

Experienced standard Shetland was happy pulling 2 adults on roads so long as the hills not too steep or one got out on steep hills. Fell pony would go all day every day anywhere ?.

 

[ester]

11.2? He might not even be that big TBF I'm guessing ?

The 12.3 version is good fun too

 

[windand rain]

Used to be an old saying a shire could carry 100 kg, drag on land 500kg, pull on wheels 1 tonne, pull on rails 5 tonnes and 50 tonnes on water but I might have got is a bit out with the conversions

 

[Nudibranch]

My standard Shetland, about 10.2hh used to pull a wooden Bennington with two light adults quite happily. I did get out on steep hills though.
The 13.2 Fell we have now took 4 adults and 4 kids out on the 4 wheeler the other day (some backstepping!). She'd have trotted all day if I'd let her.

 

[PapaverFollis]

Oh wow, they can pull lots! I'd really love a Welsh A because Little Dragon is so awesome. ?

 

[ester]

Excellent, that's decided then

 

[Equi]

Right! Now that’s decided, what cart do you want two or four ?

 

[Equi]

Took ages to find these lol
I must get back into driving it’s been at least a year since I got it out. My youngster is prime age to start off so I might spend winter doing that! His dad (the little buckskin) was such a powerhouse for such a small boy and his mum (the palomino) just loved to drive. I’m 2 stone lighter also so that can only help lol

 

[PapaverFollis]

?? There's a farmer up the road who keeps offering us a cart. Not sure why but perhaps we should go and look at it.

 

[poiuytrewq]

?? There's a farmer up the road who keeps offering us a cart. Not sure why but perhaps we should go and look at it.

Well if that’s not a sign…… ?

 

[MinKo]

What age is to old to break a horse to harness?

 

[ester]

There was a section D doing scurry and trials competitions that was only broke late teens. - I checked she was 17

 

[MinKo]

Mines 13 and I've been tempted to drive her for many years.

 

[ester]

crack on then ?

 

[windand rain]

only thing the useless git did well
been a while but he loved it so guess it wouldn't take much to get him going again

 

[rabatsa]

As a rule of thumb they can pull their bodyweight with ease. If fit they can go up to double their bodyweight. Hills, very young or very old and the weight reduces.

If you get a two wheel carriage make sure that it has adjustable balance.

A 350kg pony could take two 100kg adults and a 150kg carriage.

 

[SatansLittleHelper]

You sound as bad as me...I have a 36" Mini Shitland who is far too fat and I'd love to have a go at driving him to keep his weight down. Mind you, his name is ShitPig..and he earned it, so..... ????

 

[SpeedyPony]

Do it! Mum wants to drive her lad when he's old enough, I keep threatening to build a replica celtic war chariot for him and frighten the tourists ?
If you're buying something with driving in mind pay close attention to temperament though- a horse that is inclined to run rather than freeze when startled is going to be harder to turn into a safe driving animal.

 

[PapaverFollis]

To be fair finding the right pony will be a nightmare! But if I got a nice little cart it might act like a beacon a draw a pony in to meet his or her destiny....

 

[ILuvCowparsely]

Oh wow, they can pull lots! I'd really love a Welsh A because Little Dragon is so awesome. ?

My little welsh A

 

[PapaverFollis]

Too blimmin cute.

For some reason I'm just obsessed with the idea at the moment. ? I thought talking about it and getting told not to be so daft might help... you pit aren't helping. ? Don't worry all the money is going on a barn roof at the moment so my impulse driving pony purchase will have to wait.

 

[Equi]

Now are you being totally honest with yourself there? You know better than to ask us lot if you should get a new pony ?

 

[ester]

I see no nightmare

 

[SpeedyPony]

I don't want to lead anyone astray, but brecon fairday sale is coming up for the welshie lovers ?‍ might find a nice little bargain there ?

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I don't want to lead anyone astray, but brecon fairday sale is coming up for the welshie lovers ?‍ might find a nice little bargain there ?

The Shetland sales are coming up too in October. Lerwick, Aberdeen & Worcester.

 

[SEL]

Or there's a dealer in Essex who has imported a load of young draft horses - get all your farm work done by horse ??

 

[scruffyponies]

I was advised (by the lovely and much missed Dennis Walmsley) when I started to go out with an experienced driver first, to get an idea whether I enjoyed it. It's a big commitment in terms of equipment, and many riders find they don't like it.

As regards size, our mini shetland will take 2 adults on a 10 mile drive and not drop out of trot other than for junctions. They are much stronger than they look, and seem to thrive on the work. Size of pony is more a personal preference thing. There's something to be said for 13hh or under, as you can put the off-side shaft in the tug without walking around the pony