This is not an issue with the Fairview Country Sales carts, the “aftermarket” parts are all made to fit their carts easily. They are well made. Mine, as an example, has wood wheels with hard rubber and a Rein Rail. There aren’t many easy entries with a rein rail but I thought it made it look a little more formal. All of their carts can have this added, it’s just a bolt on accessory. They have a huge list of such accessories including basket extensions, lights, brakes, etc.
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pretty sure twincity is not talking about your post, but rather the fb ad for the kingston+pony palace suspension. It’s a valid point, although if the cart was nearby (or you could get a trusted source to evaluate it), it would probably be worth it. Sight unseen purchase would probably be more risky than average though…
Yep, the carts that kris0227 are talking about would be ones that I would take a chance on. My worry is the “looks like a good idea” but never completely field tested modifications, new designs etc. from those who claim expertise, but have never done the things they say the carts are good for!! Whether it be light use, off road, CDE etc. I have seen three completely fail. Luckily no one was hurt. Sorry, but I am really, really leery.It all may be fine…but I’ve just seen too many issues not to comment. It’s tough…the name brands are expensive…but there is a reason. Haven’t seen the Fiarview Country Carts…Amish? If so, they DRIVE!! lol. So I would definitely think they would know what they are doing 
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That modified Kingston turned out to be too small anyway.
Besides basic safety, as in, not likely to structurally fail, I also am interested in comfort – those torsion axles on some carts look really cool. I know I’ll pay for them though.
Call Fairview, they offer the torsion axles, I don’t know how small of a cart they will put them on because it affects the overall height. I have played with them on their carts in store (I only live 3 hours from them, so I’ve been up there to their store and actually talked to them in person while picking out the options I wanted on my mini cart), they are very very cool, I wish they had them in mini size!
Fledermaus…just want to comment you are doing everything right…you have an experienced instructor and you are rooting around for advice. And your pony is gorgeous!! You will have a ton of fun!
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All I can say is comfort is worth the price. I lucked out with air ride suspension in my carriage. I didn’t know how wonderful it was, but the used kutzmann I found with the assistance of more knowledgeable folks had it AND I’M NEVER GOING BACK 
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DMK…I know what you are talking about…the mircofox has air bags. I don’t think I can drive in anything else now. The Frey’s have coil over shock…which is not bad. But the air bags…wow!
Wait… there are carriages with air ride?!? After my Kingston, I feel spoiled in my Raber Meadowbrook with it’s giant leaf springs. Some day… my dream of a marathon carriage will come true…
http://www.kutzmanncarriages.uk/carriages/microfox-single-pair-fr120/ I could only find a UK link…but this is the one we have for our minis. It came with shafts so I can also drive my 11.2HH pony (when he grows up). We’re in love…lol
Completely off topic… but your pretty fjordie made me update my pic. Fjordies unite!
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I should have been more clear in what I meant by “after market”. The basket of the cart needed to be raised. Fairview sells 4" and 6" I beam blocks you put under the basket to raise it. Placed the order, unscrewed 4 bolts on each side, put in the blocks and the cart height was exactly where it needed to be for my 12.2 equine. I also added the wire basket that goes under the seat a few months later and it went in perfectly.
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Here’s a link to a pic on the polish site, if it works you should be able to see the air bags of awesomeness
http://kutzmann.pl/media/djcatalog2/images/item/0/fs1.15.jpg
Thanks Kris! I’ve had him for a little over 2 years, got him as an unbroke 3 year old from Ironwood (she also posts on here), and I have to say, I’m smitten. Here’s a pic of him doing his driving thing at the Southern Drive (same carriage as above, older model and with “summer” wheels on)
Fjordies unite indeed!
Yep, I lot more to it than I thought, but when it comes together, tis lovely. And I still try using legs and seat while I’m sitting there. Unlike most folks, I bought a cart before the horse. Am still horseless but cart fits several of instructor’s steeds. She didn’t have a two seat cart (just big commercial carts) so I soloed from the beginning but reached a point where I felt like I needed a little up close instruction. So I found a Meadowbrook on ebay for not a lot of money and
went and fetched it, and love it!!! Much more comfy than the sulky with no back and feet in stirrups like at gyn doc’s office.
Hello everyone. I’m a long time reader but registered just to ask this question:
Is the Fairview Country Sales cart the one sold at the “Working Horse Tack” website?
(https://www.workinghorsetack.com/EZ-Entry-Horse-Cart-p/32-1000.htm)
I’m just getting started with my 15-3 TWH and that cart looks perfect.
@Gunter’sGuy Cart looks similar, but why not go directly to Fairview?
I called on a Friday & had their catalog on Monday.
Having seen all of Fairview’s carts up close (and owning one), it actually could very well be. But as @2DogsFarm said, why not just go straight to the source? Call and leave your request for catalog with address on their voicemail and you’ll have a catalog quick enough. They build the carts fast and have a TON of options available and they’re prices are actually better than what’s listed on that website.
Looking at the photos and options it does look like those are Fairview carts. They do offer the 3 types of suspensions with the carts. I went with leaf springs and it provides a nice ride on smooth or rough terrain.
What was not shown on that website were some of the options like the wire basket that goes under the seat or the 4" or 6" I beam blocks that can raise the seat to help the balance.
Thanks fledermaus for starting this thread and SLW, Kris, and 2dogs. I hope that I’m on subject and didn’t hijack.
Found the number and called and they are sending a catalog. She said that the Working Horse carts are theirs. The two big selling points for me are the suspension and brakes. And I’m thinking Fairview will be much lighter than the forecart I’ve been looking at.
As newer driver, know that brakes on a vehicle, 2 or 4-wheeled, won’t stop a horse you are driving. They do not work like a car, to stop a jiggy or frightened horse from going faster. Brakes merely add some drag, won’t stop the forward. Horse usually outweighs the vehicle and load, he CAN still move it with brakes fully applied.
Carriage brakes are used to help horse hold back the load on downhill routes, keeps carriage from pushing him along, takes pressure off his breeching. In a 2-wheeler, using the brakes WILL add shaft pressure to his harness saddle and his back. Might surprise him the first couple times brakes are used, so apply them lightly to see his reaction.
Carriage brakes need upkeep, they will collect water in the fluid even if vehicle is not used. So a once a year check is strongly recommened, changing fluid and bleeding out any air that got in. Look at the pads for wear to replace as needed. Living in moist locations, high humidity, doing lots of water crossings, twice a year checking is recommended with more water available to get into the fluid and make brakes not work. Wet fluid is bad for the gaskets of the system. Use the correct brake fluid to replace the wet stuff. Old type car brakes don’t use modern DOT fluids.
