mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320 
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Post by mingiz on Apr 1, 2014 18:39:38 GMT
Well I know that Mel the pony drives. So I just got a harness for her. Now I'm on the lookout for a pony cart. I found one and if it's still on craig's list this week. I'm going to go look at it and if it is worth it buy it.. The girl I got her from said that she drove better than she rides.I watched her drive her and she did good. Billie Jo doesn't have enough strength to get her to go under saddle. So I figure the kids could drive her around the farm. So now I have to get her in and fit the harness on her.. So I hope this venture works out. If not I will have a package deal on a pony,cart and harness....  |
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redzip
Junior Member
Posts: 1,701
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Post by redzip on Apr 1, 2014 18:47:22 GMT
Sounds fun!!  |
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Post by horselady on Apr 1, 2014 20:14:29 GMT
Driving can be fun and the classes in 4 h shows are interesting to watch.
lol
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Apr 3, 2014 1:57:56 GMT
Well I called about the cart. Going saturday to get it. It has adjustable shafts on it. Not sure how much adjustment it has. BUT if it will adjust up to fit a horse called Reno. I will be looking for a horse size harness....Preparing for my old age after I can't ride anymore..Here is a pic of the cart. I'm going to put some material and padding on the seat. Has new oak seat, paint ,wheels and tires.  |
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Apr 3, 2014 3:08:44 GMT
Nice!
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Post by lorddaxter on Apr 3, 2014 12:15:15 GMT
Nice, this is my dream too for Dax, I know he was driven before I got him, carts are just so pricey, one day though:)
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Apr 3, 2014 14:22:49 GMT
I hear ya on the prices of carts. Heck an easy entry is running 600 now. I found this one for 225.  Might have to drive for 3hrs but it's still cheaper than a new one. Plus I get a road trip....  |
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Post by 1fatmule on Apr 3, 2014 20:31:02 GMT
welcome to the world of driving we use george, one of our walkers to get groceries every week, rain, or shine. we have 2 different styles of meadowbrook carts, and a one horse open sleigh. yes, carts can be pricey the trick to finding one at a reasonable price is to find someone that has gotten out of horses, carts tend to not sell real quick , because of cost. one of ours started at $1,250, after being advertised for 3 months we got it for $975 still pricey, but a nice cart. we bought a new handmade amish harness from friends of ours for $475 we use driving harnesses, rather than the collar type. that is a nice cart for the price, worth a drive to get it, and hey it is spring, there is plenty of things to look at on a road trip |
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Apr 3, 2014 22:22:11 GMT
1fatmule I have driven before. I use to work at a harness racing farm...The first time I sat behind one I thought oh shiat this is a different view.. I see you As soon as I got on the track the horse I had reared up and did a 360. Of course I just sat in the seat and hung on. When he hit the ground I turned him around and we did the jog miles. Of course he did it to everyone. I just hope I can remember how to connect everything. This harness I got comes with britching, but I don't think I'll need it. The bridle has the over check also but probably won't use it. I can't wait for this weather to clear up so I can get Mel out of the field and fit the harness on her. Then Sunday I'm hooking her up...Ye Haw!!!... I really want to try Reno with driving. So if the cart adjust high enough for a horse then I'll find a horse harness or just get a cheap nylon type first. I'll be like get up clipity clopping down the road We will get pics too... |
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Post by horselady on Apr 4, 2014 1:14:16 GMT
How big is reno / and do you think he is about 1,000 pounds 14 .2 hands I have a harness here that was used for a horse that size and if hubby says to sell i will. leather should all be there as it was packed up by person who used it for an arab.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Apr 4, 2014 13:59:58 GMT
Reno is 15.2. He weighs a little over 1000 lbs. He wears a 32 in western cinch.
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Post by 1fatmule on Apr 4, 2014 16:04:17 GMT
we had a nylon harness we bought out of the "country supply" catalog, now it is known as "horse.com" it was nicely made, we did have some trouble with the blinder adjustment, and had to use bread wrapper "twisties" to keep them out of our mares eyes. the harness did stretch but only a little, and is still in using condition about 18 years later, so i would say all in all a good buy AND so much easier to take care of than leather too! |
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Post by horselady on Apr 4, 2014 18:55:27 GMT
I think it will be too small. i checked the buckles and they are already at the last hole for making it bigger.
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Apr 4, 2014 19:47:59 GMT
 anyways Jo. I'm in no big hurry...
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Post by short813 on Apr 6, 2014 3:03:51 GMT
Some pictures of the pony driving...
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Post by short813 on Apr 6, 2014 3:04:37 GMT
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mingiz
Junior Member
Los Lunas, NM
Posts: 3,320
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Post by mingiz on Apr 6, 2014 4:50:55 GMT
I have to make some adjustments to the harness. Pony size is almost to big for her. Have to add some holes and then we'll see if it fits better. Mel did ok for her first time with us. But she needs more work on her turning. She tends to try and turn her whole body instead of side passing over. But she did ok. I don't think she hasn't been driven much. But once I get the harness right she is going to wish she never seen me... |
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Post by horselover4life on Apr 6, 2014 12:38:18 GMT
Ming...isn't that one of the large differences of a "cart" or "ridden" horse/pony? Driving they turn the entire body due to the shafts, ridden they can and do bend their body? Is it the same for a single pull versus a team or more? I've never driven a single...but team I've done. Do I ever remember having to get the hang of having them "turn" and not get dragged through the grass as they could really turn in a circle tight and fast.  Many years ago I drove a team of Percherons in competitions. They were also used mainly for pulling a horse-drawn trolly {converted from track to wheels} in a quaint waterside town, touristy town. They had a single shaft between the two horses. They could be rented out for weddings and such... It was called The Northport Trolley from Long Island...the town of Northport. I loved it and I learned a lot about drafts and harness horses and their needs and care from this experience... I loved their fancy harness, their collars were near as tall as I and what a job to place and close that collar...then put the heavy hames up there and that heavy harness across those rather large animals... the smaller horse was 16.2 hands minimum and the larger guy was at least 17.2... massive they each weighed at least 2000 pounds... I use to climb up the side of the harness and ride them home occasionally if maintenance done to the trolley at the car repair place and the team dropped it off on the way home...was a experience and one I'll never forget and so enjoyed!!  The horses were originally logging horses and could they work and pull anything!! Big, black gentle giants these guys were...memories, what memories I have of them. blue ribbon |
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Terry
Junior Member
Central Illinois, USA
Posts: 1,466
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Post by Terry on Apr 6, 2014 18:11:58 GMT
Mel looks so cute pulling that cart. Looks like fun!
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Lipizzan
Junior Member
Europe, Croatia
Posts: 2,572
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Post by Lipizzan on Apr 6, 2014 18:18:59 GMT
What a cute pony. Adorable. And you look like having fun :-D
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Might have to drive for 3hrs but it's still cheaper than a new one. 
anyways Jo. I'm in no big hurry...
