sprite
Junior Member
Posts: 148
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Post by sprite on Apr 2, 2012 18:17:16 GMT
I bought my pony Lilly to ride 2 years ago, but she had done driving previously with old owners but not for 7 years. I have never been in a cart, at the weekend a friend helped me harness up and took her out for a drive, Lilly was amazing, hadnt forgotten anything, only went round the block but she loved it!! Some pics and video of Lilly What we normally do   April 1st 2012     video  view from the cart  |
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Post by Sasha on Apr 2, 2012 18:25:36 GMT
That looks great, I would love to have a go at driving! She is a real all rounder isn't she
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Post by FF on Apr 2, 2012 18:44:00 GMT
Fab, love a good all rounder. My girl has driven once. I let me friend break her to cart she wasn't bothered at all. Not my thing so I never did it again.
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Post by zoonie on Apr 3, 2012 13:39:29 GMT
She's a stunning pony - I think she looks lovely ridden AND driven!  If you have her in the cart again try and make sure the traces are fastened to the swingle tree - the moving bit underneath where where you had them. This will ensure she doesn't rub her shoulders. They should be a little bit tighter then as that is what she will pull the carriage with - the shafts are purely for steering. And beware - it is very addictive!! |
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Post by cholderton on Apr 3, 2012 15:51:21 GMT
Can i please ask, how is this pony in draft, as the traces are obviously not doing their job, but i'm viewing on my phone and can not see how or what they are attached to?
Lovely lookin pony tho'!
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Post by minibutmighty on Apr 3, 2012 16:17:32 GMT
Gorgeous! Our driving Shetland is now doing ridden work and loving it! How versatile are natives? |
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sprite
Junior Member
Posts: 148
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Post by sprite on Apr 3, 2012 17:40:20 GMT
Thanks everybody for your lovely comments, I have tightned the traces ready for next time, and have left most of the harness joined together, so will hopefully take less time to put it all on as it took me about an hour!
I will try the swingle tree next time, but was worried the traces would be much lower and near to her legs?
Thanks
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Post by penduk on Apr 3, 2012 17:53:53 GMT
The swingletree is essential if driving with a breast collar otherwise the collar saws across the chest and galls the pony. You can use a couple of dog collars to pass the traces through as trace carriers so that they do not droop too low, as long as the line of draught is straight you wont be far wrong.
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Post by zoonie on Apr 3, 2012 22:28:31 GMT
Also the swingle tree is lower to better take the weight of the carriage - as mentioned above, you just need a couple of loops (baling twine or cable ties are fine) to stop the traces from drooping too low when the pony is out of draft. Have fun - any questions don't be shy as asking for help (that's what this bit is for!  ) |
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If you have her in the cart again try and make sure the traces are fastened to the swingle tree - the moving bit underneath where where you had them. This will ensure she doesn't rub her shoulders. They should be a little bit tighter then as that is what she will pull the carriage with - the shafts are purely for steering. And beware - it is very addictive!! 
)