Shetlands for driving

Fii

Fii

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I am thinking of downsizing and am considering getting a shetland pony to drive :)
So what weight could a standered shetland pull comfortably?? Could one pull two medium sized adults, or would i need a pair ?

Thankyou :)
 
I broke mine to drive as he needed to be useful, and loves it!! Best thing I ever did. He pulls two of us fine, and also did his bit as a mini logger horse - chained upto 6 planks of wood at a time (approx 8 ft long) and towed them up the field repeatedly for us when we were building the shelters!!! Last week we started work on tighter turns (he only really goes round the roads etc) and tried our hand at a make shift scurry course. LOADS of fun!!!!!!!

Sorry, went a bit off topic, but he is doing so fab!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:D :D :D
 
I drive singles and pairs of both standards and minis - my mini (33") will happily take 2x 60kg adults in a 90kg 4 wheeler out for 2-3 miles round the lanes and tracks. She will do a shortened marathon course including obstacles in a 50kg 2 wheeler and me, and zoom round the whole thing getting faster times than bigger ponies. She will also do the marathon pulling her own body weight, but I tend not to ask that of her cos I like to really really fast.... :p:p:p
The standards I have driven tend to be slower and less forward (yes I'm sure there are exceptions!!), but I feel less guilty about 2 adults plus 4 wheeler to go round a one day event!
It depends what you want to do really - I'd say given how much fun a pair is, consider it!! But they can really go, and have real pulling power - do not underestimate!! But you don't need a pair. A fit, forward standard shetland will have no problem with 2 of you and a light-ish carriage, 2 or 4 wheels! Just make sure the brake isn't seized on!!;) For 2 people I'd recommend a 4 wheeler cos the balance is such a faff with 2 people... ALSO you could try tandem if you wanted to have extra power going up hill etc - mine have all really enjoyed tandem!
If you fancy driving trials, try the indoor season - ODE without the marathon, held indoors throughout the winter, culminating in a big national final -- lots and lots of fun, and best part is that if you are under 11hh, you can drive in a 2 wheeler with no backstepper as long as the groom is in the arena - so you can bomb round as fast as you like! The biggest problem is heavy going in terms of sand (rubber is usually fine), deep mud, or very long grass.
PM me if you want any more info, ideas on carriages or harness etc. I've been through it all.....
 
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Thanks both :)
I just want something to trot round the village and lanes to start with :) nothing to full on, although you never now were something will end :D
Any ideas on price for a driving shettie and cart ?? not really thinking about buying straight away, maybe next year.
 
Have a look at;
http://www.indoordriving.co.uk/forum.php For Sale and Wanted
http://www.horsedrivingtrials.co.uk/ - go to discussion forum - there is a small pony section, where this discussion has been had a million times over :-)) Also if you look at the section for affiliated clubs, you can find one local to you - someone nearby or through the club may know of a suitable pony and they often organise road drives, talks, and shows, one day events, cones evenings etc etc, which you and the pony may enjoy.


Also For sale and wanted section of HDT website. Sometimes ponies on loan too and worth posting a wanted ad, it's all free!!
Also try looking at www.dragondriving.com
http://www.carriagesales.com
http://www.shetlandponyweb.com/

http://www.shetlandponyclassifieds.com/categories/17/26.html

Pony - depends on experience, age, breeding, registration etc. Between £300-400 and £2k+ - seriously good money for quality ponies!!
If you want to have one broken yourself, get one that has been clambered over by kids and generally seen everything - but an unbroken shetland will take a professional as much time to start as a bigger pony, but you probably won't want to pay those prices... Ergo there are enough nice, already started ponies out there that have proven themselves, for you not to need to have one started... Lots of people start driving shetlands because they have a pony already - you have the priviliged position of being able to choose one!!
I suspect you get tempted to do more than pootle out round the lanes once you get into it ;-) I swore I only wanted to go round the village with my ponies. That was summer 2008. This year I was at the IHDT national finals with a section A pair and a miniature shetland, and I'm currently getting very excited about it all starting again.... :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:
Carriage - robinsons catalogue/online/ebay sell a little exercise cart for £245 (I think..) which works, (I have one..) its ok for pottering round the lanes, racing on stubble fields, and light enough. Watch what weight they are designed to carry - may only be one adult in theory! Be VERY CAREFUL with the homemade jobs - I have seen accidents and things falling apart (have also seen this with some well known brands...)
I like the Mini Crowns, and Hartland do a good 4 wheeler for minis - budget now going from 300-800 for 2 wheeler on trad wheels, less for pneumatics, to £1600-4k for a 4 wheeler... (maybe 1-2k second hand?) I have various bits and pieces for sale - PM if you like ;)
 
Thankyou so much for taking the time to post all of this infomation, I have taken a bit of a break from driving as we have retired my oldish shire from heavy work, and although we drove him for work , i would still like to keep it up, but would also like to go a lot smaller :)
 
Is that him in the picture? Gorgeous!
This is Millie, 36", put to a Hartland shetland sport
picture.php

And this is the pair of 33" minis, Pumpkin and Munchkin
picture.php


I really hope you enjoy it!
 
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