Going to look at a mini mare next weekend who is “Amish broke” to drive…good? Bad? Doesn’t matter?
Amish broke is usually well trained in specific areas. They go forward, not as spooky in road conditions with stuff they meet, new odd things are not much of an issue, if you plan to do road driving. Show might be a bit strange, but I bet animal would settle in fast, no issues. Animals usually stand well for handling, harnessing, hitching and unhitching your vehicle. Do have a system for hitching, develop a safe routine to check things are done up before getting in to drive.
Depending on who trained it, you may need to work on stand still when stopped. Minis are kid projects, so stand for LONG TIMES while hitched, might not have been emphasized. You pause at the stop sign, then go. May not even get a quiet moment with all 4 flat on the ground, before they are asked to move forward again. Halt and stand quiet, is REALLY important to a driving animal, so this needs to be practiced and gotten solid with your animal. I use a watch to time stand, because a REAL minute on the clock will make you swear it was FIVE minutes. You have to get actual longer times as you build up stand-still time periods. A book in the cart helps YOU pass the time faster!!
You might have to develop the gaits, to get a slow trot, working and any extension to the trot and walk, if you plan to use those gait. Most kids just let the smaller equines just go along at whatever speed they can get from them during the trot, to get places.
Mouth also may need developing, kids depend on strength for steering. Light contact is not emphasized, so animal may be heavy on the bit. Probably not used to clippers, vacuum for blowing off dirt. Most are pretty fool-proof in working conditions after the kids get done with them. They are also USED to being worked, often for miles and long times. When not worked often, they may be a bit obnoxious with too much energy, holes in training show up. Have to say that TIRED equines are MUCH MORE accepting of things they meet, stand better, than one who is not tired!
I only have experience with one amish broke pony, but I have to echo goodhors 100%. The mare really is a blast to drive, if you like getting someplace fast and watching the scenery go by in a blur :lol:. But she does not keep her feet still for long, and there is no such thing as a relaxing walk. Its either a ‘we’re getting there NOW’ trot or a jiggy “why are we wasting time going slow?!?” half-walk-ish-thing. She is a super little pony though. No end to her energy, she can go all day and all night.
Her owner finds her really frustrating, but hey if your sole mode of transportation is horsedrawn, who wants to dawdle? :lol:
I think it completely depends on the amish doing the training. Some of them can be really well trained with none of the standing issues mentioned above, and then i’ve seen some that are exactly as described above. I grew up near an amish community and used to go to their auction on a regular basis. It was about half and half there as to how good or not so good the driving horses/ponies were. But when i went to the Perry auction in GA a few years ago, i was MOST impressed with the amish trained horses and a bit desturbed by the non-amish trained horses! The kids ponies/minis were VERY well behaved at all times for being extremely young animals, had no issues standing in the ring while people went nuts and bid them up to stupid prices…
I think the biggest worry for me is that most the amish ponies are started before they turn 2. Either the kids cant wait to get working with them, or they dont care how long they last, and usually not only are they driving but a kid will be riding with their legs over the shafts too. Thats a lot to be doing to a still developing pony.
I do find the amish horses do handle new situations well, dont stress much about anything.
We have two Amish trained horses.
The mare we’ve had for the longest and was lightly used on the road. She had a wonderfully light mouth. A great stop. However, she was used for transportation. Once she was asked to trot she would only stop and trot. It took us a year to get her to walk consistently after we trotted her. She also didn’t back … at all.
She’s a wonderful spook-free mare that does everything we’ve ever asked of her.
We recently purchased a former “farm” horse. He was used primarily in a team, so we’re having to get him adjusted and relaxed in shafts. He does walk … and is more reluctant to trot. He’s also not truly “traffic safe”. We’re sending him to a trainer for miles.
We’ve also found that dental and worming is usually not done. Our mare had a HUGE parasite load.
The Amish train their horses for the job they are going to do and don’t spend time working with things that many of us would expect of a driving horse. Inspite of all the miles the Amish put on the horses, treat them as “green” for English purposes.
Good luck!
Rita
MOST LIKELY WELL BROKE ```WILL REQUIRE FOOD AND VET WORK AND LOVE
MOST LIKELY WILL BE WELL BROKE ON A FUNDAMENTAL LEVEL = BASIC = GO & STOP & STAND ```
WILL REQUIRE FOOD & VET WORK & LOVE FROM YOU …
GOOD LUCK `` HOPE THIS WORKS OUT FOR THE PONY TO BE ‘YOURS’
Great information, thank you!
Mare is actually owned by a woman who purchased her two years ago from an Amish farm in Indiana but is advertising her as “Amish broke” so that’s where my question originated. Will be interesting to see where she’s at in her training now, she looks to be in decent health and weight but she is also heavily in foal so if I decided to purchase her I would not be bringing her home until the foal is weaned probably end of summer? In any case the search for my new mini driving partner (or two?) begins…most frustrating part so far is seeing the amount of stallions and mares in foal who seem to be for sale when what I want most is a sturdy, well broke gelding. If anyone has any advice on good breeders or minis for sale in northern CA please feel to PM me…thanks!
Like any horse, it’s just a buyer be well informed situation.
I’ve had clients buy an amish broke horse here and there. One was very dangerous and quite under nourished. He got unmanagable when he put on weight.
Sometimes, even amish training can’t make a horse good and bomb proof.
Also, if the pony was checked up, you will want to spend lots of time long lining without it to see if the pony safely makes the transition from prisoner to freedom safely before hitching. ask me how i know…
there are a lot of welsh breeders that direction. What about a small welsh gelding?
I understand about only finding bred mares! It seems a lot mini people dont like to geld much and hate to see a mare not in foal… I ended up with a 3yr old stud, gelded him, and sent him to a trainer. It was easier that way.
thanks Butler…yes a driving friend had suggested a small welsh as well. My only experience with them was as a youngster riding my cousin’s QH/Welsh X mare who was a spitfire, can’t imagine her as a driving horse LOL. I’d like to stay 12 hands and under if possible, I’ll be doing everything pretty much on my own so the lighter and easier to hitch and go the better off for me. I’ve thought about showing the minis in hand as well at some local shows. Am now in the recovery mode from my total knee replacement and quite frankly can’t imagine ever riding again, it just doesn’t hold much appeal anymore. Sometimes life takes you to a fork in the road and a new journey begins…
I think you’d be happier and more comfortable (with your new knee) driving a small pony (Welsh Mountain or Shetland, or Dartmoor, or any of the Moorland ponies) vs a mini. Reasons: Carts/carriages are larger, wheels bigger for going over bumps, more power up front and more endurance, able to keep up with the horses, more harness for sale available, boots and shoes more readily available.
Not saying a mini might not be the ticket for you, but you have less bending over with a pony, and the pony carriages are more suited to a full size adult than a mini carriage/cart.
I think minis are adorable…but never yet met one that could keep up with a pony in harness, and didn’t get tired quickly. On the other hand, almost every Welsh or Shetland I’ve know has no problem cruising down the road for miles on end, and often end up leading the horses on those picnic drives!
JMHO
Agree with gosthedistance, myself owning a 38" mini And welsh… However, my experience with minis is that they can be just as hot as a welsh! And really, it always depends on the individual pony. I have a sec b mare that is so sensible and cool headed, but is one that goes and goes, and she’s not quite 4. I trust her more than I do my cob that I’ve owned for 5yrs, who is both lazy AND hot, when she wants to be…
Although I think mini vehicles are coming a long way and more readily available than they used to be, it’s still nicer having a slightly bigger animal. There are some fancy Shetlands out there, they can lean towards hot too. But again, there are stellar individuals in all breeds.
all good points
in terms of cart size…I would like to have a set up where the cart attaches to the back of my trailer (have seen some pics on some threads of a device that allows that) and is light enough that I can load/unload on my own. In that realm was thinking that a larger mini might be the way to go? Realistically how large can I go before I’m going to need a second person to assist me with everything?
And yes I agree with you both that there are individuals in ANY breed that can be super dependable or hot as fire…even with my land manatee fjords…ask me how I know this 
oooops forgot another question
since I want to stay with a mini/small pony size and obviously won’t be riding how do you keep your smaller equines in somewhat decent driving condition especially during the winter months when you might not be able to drive or work them as much as you’d like?
I would not buy a bred mare if what I wanted was a driving horse. That you would not have immediate possession of the mare once you bought it makes the situation hinky to me- mares do die giving foal.
Some of the Shetland and Hackney people I know longe and long line their ponies in the winter a round pen with fairly deep straw around the circle where the pony travels. The straw does not freeze and they have to keep picking up their feet high to step through it, which is more exercise than just shuffling along on a longe line.
I use the winter to give my ponies downtime. Or…if it snows, we all have fun with the sleigh. 
In reality, a Welsh that is fit, and then given time off, won’t lose that fitness for months. You can stop driving in the Fall, and pick up in the Spring without missing a beat. They are amazing in maintaining a fit condition while on “vacation”.
With a single you should be able to do everything yourself, no matter how big the equine is. Training is the key - the pony/horse should be quiet, mannerly, patient, and know how to stand perfectly still until you tell it to move off. It’s when you get to driving a pair that having help is expected.
Do you pull a bumper pull trailer with a truck, or an enclosed vehicle? If you think that riding is going to be a “past history” part of your life, and driving is your next love, AND you are going to be taking pony/carriage places places, then I would strongly suggest you change your bumper pull for a nice stock trailer that will fit both the pony and the carriage. Trust me…a stock trailer is SO much easier to transport both than having to fuss with loading a cart…or carriage…up on the outside of the trailer (which isn’t a whole lot of fun and prevents you from getting the pony out fast) or loading into the bed of the truck.
Winter can be down-time ``` equines & humans ````
Winters can be great ‘down-time’ for equines and humans :yes:
never yet met one that could keep up with a pony in harness, and didn’t get tired quickly.
hmm…then you haven’t watched the many successful and extremely fit VSEs competing in CDE. Happs in Washington state did a great deal of research into VSEs, including pulse, respirations and recovery time when competing. The VSEs/minis often do better than the bigs. Yes, conditioning is essential, but when wouldn’t it be?
I would say to keep an open mind as to size. My 38-inch gelding is a power house who can haul two adults easily and never tire, yet is small enough to transport in a cargo van and be easily handled, harnessed and hitched. He is tall enough that I don’t have to stoop to fasten the girth, yet I can reach over his back when putting to.
I would pick a size range that suits your needs, then look for the best-trained horse, regardless of breed or exact size. Many well-trained ponies and minis are going for low, low prices these days, so if you look, you should be able to find a gem.
I don’t know your background, Grace, so forgive me if the following sounds overly cautious:
No matter what the seller says, I would have a trainer or other experienced driver check the horse before buying. The horse may be sold as an experienced driving pony when the “experience” is limited to the show ring, wearing a check and no breeching and pulling from the backsaddle. Such a horse really needs an introduction to recreational driving – they may be just fine, but you have to be fair and let them adjust.
Beware that more minis than bigger equines are “home-trained” by driving novices, kids, and blooming idiots due to their size and tractability. Some forget that while a mini may be easier to handle from the ground, any advantage is lost the minute your feet leave the ground. A mini can run in front of a log truck just as quickly as a big horse, so there is no substitute for solid training.
I use the winter to give my ponies downtime.
I second this. My horses all get the winter off. I personally think they really like having the down time. Once spring comes, it’s back to work and they work hard.
As far as fitness, they do maintain their shape pretty well over the winter. They still get some exercise, in the form of play time & running loose in the arena.
As the weather starts to shape up, I ground drive my guys for about 2 weeks, then get back to driving for about another 2 weeks building back up to regular full work. The first few drives are a lot of walking, and limited trot, then building up from there.
That usually puts me right back to late april and decent weather and by then they’re ready to serious work, dressage/cones, and 2-3 mile road drives.
With a single you should be able to do everything yourself, no matter how big the equine is.
I also agree with this, as someone who does everything by myself with 2 minis, 1 pony, and 1 full size, and no barn/cross ties. We “free hitch”. 
Beware that more minis than bigger equines are “home-trained” by driving novices, kids, and blooming idiots
I also second this! Oh lord, the things I could tell you about my “kid trained/blooming idiot trained” mini. I’ve had her 6 years, and still haven’t, nor will I ever, work out the kinks with her.
A mini can run in front of a log truck just as quickly as a big horse,
And my mini did this to me! Well, Ok, it wasn’t a log truck, but it was a truck. Thankfully the driver of the truck was paying attention and didn’t hit us. Terrifying. My mini has fallen into permanent purgatory!
Just be sure you get a horse that meets your needs, as far as size, training, and most of all, being something you can handle on your own.
I would strongly suggest you change your bumper pull for a nice stock trailer that will fit both the pony and the carriage.
You have a lot of great advice in this thread, so I’m just reflecting what others have said based on my own experience. And this statement is very very very true. I want to do this someday when I can afford a new trailer, and a different vehicle to pull it with.
When we go places, we have 2 horses and 2 carts… and that also means 2 trucks and 2 trailers. Very inconveinent - double the gas, double the effort! And obviously not something I can do myself. Both me and my husband drive and show, or do clinics, etc… so we travel in pairs, but I would love to have a single rig to haul around in. Definitely look into this, if you’re looking to do it by yourself.
I have been to several shows where people were there alone, with their cart/carriage in the back of the pick up truck. If you’re really looking to do away events alone, this really does not work. The people have to ask the help of others to get the cart out and back in to the truck.
Not fun trying to lift a cart out of a truck with a horse trailer hitched, over the side, and not scratch the truck on top of that!
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Life in 2012
Seriously, check out closest driving clubs and see who’s out there to help you. There is a group in northern CA. I think Jay Hubert is involved with that group and he has lovely Welsh ponies. If you can make a road trip, HAPPS seems to have a big following of minis and (I think) small ponies so you can see what’s happening there too.
Look at what’s out there ready to go now and you may find your answer to size. I wouldn’t get too hung up on moving your stuff here and there. With a small pony or mini, equipment is easier to fit in trucks and trailers and lighter to move about. Not all that much difference in equipment size either.
If you are going to activities with a group of other drivers, I’ve yet to see a group who won’t help you load and unload if needed. More difficult at home, but that’s what winches and ramps are for.
