Smallest possible driving pony..... advice please

[NiceChristmasBaubles]

I have a good friend who is no longer able to ride due to a serious back condition. She is also not able to show in hand etc in case she gets pulled suddenly or in the wrong direction. So her lovely husband is trying to work out a way she can still have horse contact as this is very important to her. He has suggested driving, but even shetlands can be pretty strong to handle. How about mini shetlands? Not sure how strong they are to handle, and are they strong enough to drive? Also, although she is an experienced horsewoman she hasn't driven before. She is in Wales, a little bit north of Swansea - does anyone know somewhere near there that she can go for advice?
Many thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Enfys]

Hi,

I don't know anywhere in that area, but your friend could look into miniature horses. Stinkbomb on here would certainly be the one to ask about them I think.

They are quite capable of pulling an adult in a trap and are much more popular here for people in her situation than shetlands or miniature shetlands both the British and the American (Hackney blood in them) versions.

Hopefully this is a link to a driving clip, but a search on You Tube will bring up dozens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgRKaDKelW8&p=FE058CBCF494458D&playnext=1&index=22

 

[PucciNPoni]

Horses and ponies can actually pull far more weight than they can carry - so even the small mini can pull a large adult without too much trouble.

 

[BigRed]

I have a "back problem". Last year I had spinal fusion which was great and now I am not in constant pain. However, bending is what hurts, so bending down to deal with a tiny pony will probably hurt your friend, so I do not think a tiny pony is the answer. The answer is a well behaved pony and there are plenty of them around.

I still find bending down to brush my shetland and pick his feet out, is uncomfortable, whereas dealing with my big horse is not uncomfortable at all.

Your friend needs to find out what she can do regards movement before she dives into buying a tiny pony.

 

[natalia]

Hi,

I agree with the bending down thing, having tiny ponies makes your back worse not better! You would be better off with a saintly 13hh and light weight exercise trap. although if back is really bad she still may need a hand harnessing up.

 

[NiceChristmasBaubles]

Hi,

I don't know anywhere in that area, but your friend could look into miniature horses. Stinkbomb on here would certainly be the one to ask about them I think.

They are quite capable of pulling an adult in a trap and are much more popular here for people in her situation than shetlands or miniature shetlands both the British and the American (Hackney blood in them) versions.

Hopefully this is a link to a driving clip, but a search on You Tube will bring up dozens

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgRKaDKelW8&p=FE058CBCF494458D&playnext=1&index=22

Thanks for this, I'll get her to check these out. Had a look at the Miniature Horse Society website and also found a stud in Wales, so maybe she can go and visit to find out more.

Horses and ponies can actually pull far more weight than they can carry - so even the small mini can pull a large adult without too much trouble.

Good point, and the little wagons/carts they use look pretty lightweight as well.

I have a "back problem". Last year I had spinal fusion which was great and now I am not in constant pain. However, bending is what hurts, so bending down to deal with a tiny pony will probably hurt your friend, so I do not think a tiny pony is the answer. The answer is a well behaved pony and there are plenty of them around.

I still find bending down to brush my shetland and pick his feet out, is uncomfortable, whereas dealing with my big horse is not uncomfortable at all.

Your friend needs to find out what she can do regards movement before she dives into buying a tiny pony.

Hi,

I agree with the bending down thing, having tiny ponies makes your back worse not better! You would be better off with a saintly 13hh and light weight exercise trap. although if back is really bad she still may need a hand harnessing up.

I thought of this as well, but she breeds labradors and shows them, and can still get down to do them, so should be alright with little ponies. She certainly wouldn't rush this decision though and I'm really just trying to help her find out more about it.

Just to add, she has a couple of retired larger ponies, but her husband now has to do most of the stuff with them as even though they are perfectly behaved, if they spook while she is leading them it could be very serious.

Thanks everyone for your input, it's much appreciated!

 

[Pipkin]

My friend has just broken her 4, 10.2 shettie to harness, he is such a cheeky mischievious little sod, but put him in the trap and he is the total opposite, he goes like the clappers and is totally unfazed by a thing, doesnt pull, spook or anything!
There is quite a few people in swans who breed mini shetties.... I know someone in Birchgrove (just outside Swansea, literally half a mile) who has about 10 for sale now....think theyre about 10hands