Best cart for retraining nervous pony

[goodhors]

Firstly, fake shafts are used alone. Not with the sled or tire dragging behind her at this point. She is just learning how stiff shafts feel again. You do not want other stuff like traces that pony could get tangled in if she does act silly. You need to long line her with the fake shafts in both directions, also going straight, so she feels the pressure on both sides, maybe leg touches, walking, trots both slow and extended. Again, alternate in the open and blinker bridle over several days work. See how she responds. She may need more time doing this to settle with shaft feel on her body.

We attach the shafts with light string and a snap, easy on, easy off. If she should act up string breaks, drops the shaft. Should string break you halt her, put the shaft back on and walk her off again. NO BIG DEAL. You don’t get excited, just have her stop, stand, fix the shaft on again to continue work. You want pony being obedient, stop when asked, accepting of unexpected things that will happen when driving.

[CHT]

@goodhors

We attach the shafts with light string and a snap, easy on, easy off. If she should act up string breaks, drops the shaft. Should string break you halt her, put the shaft back on and walk her off again. NO BIG DEAL. You don’t get excited, just have her stop, stand, fix the shaft on again to continue work. You want pony being obedient, stop when asked, accepting of unexpected things that will happen when driving.

When you say you attach with a light string and a snap, can you elaborate? Are you attaching them to the harness like you would a normal shaft (just using a string instead), or?

I practiced lowering some fake shafts the other day (big, fake candy canes), with no reaction from her. They were too short and not the right material for her to drag, but this is a completely different response than I got last fall when I did the same thing with broom sticks, so I think her comfort / understanding is improving.

[goodhors]

We run the shaft into the shaft loops, then take the attached light string snap and clip it on the rein terret ring. String is on fake shaft just behind the shaft loop, to hold shaft in correct placement on the pony. Shaft tip is even with point of shoulder so pony has to push into fake shaft on turns, just like a real cart with long shafts will feel on her. Heel end on fake shaft will move about, especially on circles with centrifugal force of her speed. Outside shaft wants to hug her side, while inside shaft moves away from her to the center of circle.

Make sure her overgirth is buckled snug, to aid in controlling the fake shaft. Shaft is limited in travel up or down, ability to flop about or poke her by the overgirth and shaft loop it rests in, as she goes forward…

I would start her with one shaft on only one side, in the beginning, walking as she learns the feel of shaft out on the long lines. Though she has driven, not all trainers will use fake shafts as a learning step. This could be all new to her. Dealing with one shaft, going in both directions, walking, later trotting at various speeds, is enough to start with. Next day put the fake shaft on the other side and repeat everything. Alternate sides for a few days get her obedient, non-reactive to fake shaft, before putting both shafts on her. Then more circles, straightaway work, halt and stand STILL, only walking off when commanded to. Wear a watch, time her standing still so you build up to longer times. She MUST stand quietly for long times as you get in or out of the vehicle, stop to visit with the neighbor, trainer, while waiting your turn to enter a class.

[appybeads]

OP, you are sitting right behind the horse and if it kicks or spooks (you said you have mobility issues) hard to get in and out of in a hurry. The cart was specifically made for a horse who is seasoned with no issues. I would just go with an EE entry cart.

[goodhors]

Get a kicking strap if there is ANY chance of pony bucking or kicking when hitched in the cart. It is a great safety device helping to protect you and pony from getting hurt until she is lots more dependable. We use one for our green horses, prevents problems from happening. Only takes another minute to fasten while hitching her, gives peace of mind. Not for use on fake shafts.

[CHT]

Pony had never bucked or kicked. She is a biter, but for the most part she is just stoically terrified (when she is worried) A bucking strap is a no-brainer though to me. It is cheap and doesn’t interfere, so I have no idea why I wouldn’t use one. Is there a reason to not use one?

Goodhors, thank you for the more detailed information. It will be a bit until things melt and dry enough for me to head out to the forest for two saplings, but looking forward to giving it a try.

[rugbygirl]

I drove Warrior in a closed bridle on a whim. Shocking result. He was quite easygoing with it. He was doing ok ground driving in an open bridle, but his usual prancy self, recreational arab-style spooks. I put the closed bridle on (it came with my harness) and he acted much more true to warmblood form. More like how he rides on a good day.

I put him to the stoneboat the same day. He dragged it up and down the gravel drive, making a ridiculous racket. Quite sensible and fairly relaxed. I don’t think the bridle did it all, but both of us benefit from help on focus.