What can a 34" mini shetland pull comfortably?

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Patchworkpony

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No experience at all of driving tiny ponies so would really welcome some advice. What can a 34" mini shetland pull comfortably and, assuming there are no steep hills, how far could it pull one adult in a well balanced carriage? Does anyone drive a single mini and if so do they do indoor driving with it? I intend break in to drive a mini I am buying to give it regular work but obviously I don't want to overface it. I have only driven large M&M before so I'm not sure how much work to give this little chap without asking too much of him.
 
My mini (34") pulled me quite comfortably in a four wheel home built carriage. I'm about 5' 4" and weighed about 8 1/2 stone at the time. I've no idea how much the carriage weighed, but it was balanced and built for a similar size Shetland.
 
My 32" can pull me up a hill of considerable steepness and i am not light. I only do it for approc 15mins at a time but she never seems to struggle so 34" would probably be similar/more able. I have a two wheel robinsons cart which i have to say is very light. As long as you make sure it is balance and the harness fits well, they can pull a lot more than you think.

Here she is pulling me up my field in the snow. This was probably the hardest she has ever had to pull, due to the hill and snow. But she did it all very well and even pulled me through the muddy gate no problem.

10636313_10204663185237004_2366421408610010355_n.jpg


Here we are on the flat, but to show how size is.

1551509_10204532072279262_5182325135372692312_n.jpg
 
My mini Shetland can, when fit, pull two medium sized adults easily. I was once told (please correct me if I'm wrong) that in driving comp classes, horses are expected to pull the equivalent of their own weight, with th possible exception of Shetland ponies, who, because of their size to strength ratio, are expected to pull double their weight!
I know my 9hh little fella is very strong for his size, and can pull me and OH, both medium sized, with surprising ease on firm going.
 
Thriller said:
My 32" can pull me up a hill of considerable steepness and i am not light. I only do it for approc 15mins at a time but she never seems to struggle so 34" would probably be similar/more able. I have a two wheel robinsons cart which i have to say is very light. As long as you make sure it is balance and the harness fits well, they can pull a lot more than you think.

Here she is pulling me up my field in the snow. This was probably the hardest she has ever had to pull, due to the hill and snow. But she did it all very well and even pulled me through the muddy gate no problem.

10636313_10204663185237004_2366421408610010355_n.jpg


Here we are on the flat, but to show how size is.

1551509_10204532072279262_5182325135372692312_n.jpg
Click to expand...

soooo cute, wish I could do this with my pony
 
littleshetland said:
My mini Shetland can, when fit, pull two medium sized adults easily. I was once told (please correct me if I'm wrong) that in driving comp classes, horses are expected to pull the equivalent of their own weight, with th possible exception of Shetland ponies, who, because of their size to strength ratio, are expected to pull double their weight!
I know my 9hh little fella is very strong for his size, and can pull me and OH, both medium sized, with surprising ease on firm going.
Click to expand...

Id like to hope i am not the weight of my pony, but i know for sure she can pull me anyway hhaa
 
Thank you so much for your encouraging replies! Thriller - what an absolutely divine little pony and what a gorgeous photo. How is she bred - what a lovely colour she is?

Please, please can we see more photos.
 
littleshetland said:
My mini Shetland can, when fit, pull two medium sized adults easily. I was once told (please correct me if I'm wrong) that in driving comp classes, horses are expected to pull the equivalent of their own weight, with th possible exception of Shetland ponies, who, because of their size to strength ratio, are expected to pull double their weight!
I know my 9hh little fella is very strong for his size, and can pull me and OH, both medium sized, with surprising ease on firm going.
Click to expand...

I am not sure if you're refering to driving trials? If so, for indoors for anything under 11hh they only have to pull one person on a two wheeler (or two people on a 4) Most clubs don't have a minimum weight but expect two adults, national level carriage minimum weight 99kg, and internationally the minimum height for multiples is 109cm and bigger for singles so true Shetlands are not allowed. Our Shetland 4 wheel carriage we used for indoors and club, to a 38" standard with 2 average size adults, was 75kg. Most minis do only take one adult and a 2 wheeler at competition speed IME judging by the national finals.
I can put you in touch with mini driving experts if you like by PM- our smallest as I say is 38 inches so quite a bit bigger.
 
Patchworkpony said:
Thank you so much for your encouraging replies! Thriller - what an absolutely divine little pony and what a gorgeous photo. How is she bred - what a lovely colour she is?

Please, please can we see more photos.
Click to expand...

This is her breeding: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/lewingales+goldilocks

She is my world :) Here is a little video of her pulling, probably about the 4th time in the cart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5YQ1e8gFP8

Due to her height and registry she is shown as a miniature horse so this was our first show (and my first ever time showing...last in each class but loooook!!)
10923696_10204763962556374_2523694161720449166_n.jpg
 
rara007 said:
I am not sure if you're refering to driving trials? If so, for indoors for anything under 11hh they only have to pull one person on a two wheeler (or two people on a 4) Most clubs don't have a minimum weight but expect two adults, national level carriage minimum weight 99kg, and internationally the minimum height for multiples is 109cm and bigger for singles so true Shetlands are not allowed. Our Shetland 4 wheel carriage we used for indoors and club, to a 38" standard with 2 average size adults, was 75kg. Most minis do only take one adult and a 2 wheeler at competition speed IME judging by the national finals.
I can put you in touch with mini driving experts if you like by PM- our smallest as I say is 38 inches so quite a bit bigger.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the clarification. I kno nothing about competitive driving, as I only drive my mini purely for fun and to prevent him from getting fat and lami....it's one of the best things I ever did....absolutely love it!
 
Thriller said:
This is her breeding: http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/lewingales+goldilocks

She is my world :) Here is a little video of her pulling, probably about the 4th time in the cart: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5YQ1e8gFP8

Due to her height and registry she is shown as a miniature horse so this was our first show (and my first ever time showing...last in each class but loooook!!)
10923696_10204763962556374_2523694161720449166_n.jpg
Click to expand...
Absolutely divine - I think I'm in love! I'm not surprised she is your world. She looks so kind and calm.
 
We are regularly beaten by one pulling 2 adults and a 4 wheeler in indoor trials. This pony isn't all that fast but wastes no time going round tight turns.
 
littleshetland said:
My mini Shetland can, when fit, pull two medium sized adults easily. I was once told (please correct me if I'm wrong) that in driving comp classes, horses are expected to pull the equivalent of their own weight, with th possible exception of Shetland ponies, who, because of their size to strength ratio, are expected to pull double their weight!
I know my 9hh little fella is very strong for his size, and can pull me and OH, both medium sized, with surprising ease on firm going.
Click to expand...

Please Will You share a Photo or 2? LOL
As Your Pony is the Same Size as My Book One
Thanks
:) :) :)
 
OK, so mine's 38", but you really would be amazed. They didn't use them down the mines to make the tea, you know!

attachment.php


He has a bit of an attitude, so we don't take him on really long drives because he competes with the big ponies and would probably pull until he died in harness, so we don't want to risk it. If we go out with two adults on board, constant trot for 5-6 miles, with a big hill to finish, and he'll be covered in sweat, but none the worse for it.
 
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