Picking the right cart

I’m new to buying carts and would love to get someone’s opinion on what the best cart is for my 14.2hh horse (not competition driving, just pleasure). It needs to be durable, light, and simple. Don’t need any fancy stuff, just the basic cart.

Anything I need to keep in mind when I look for one?

Like - how easily they would tip? How high you want the seat? How big the wheels? What should it be made of? Questions like that.

I know that’s a very vague question. There was a cart I was looking at but I can’t figure out how to add a photo . . . if I manage to figure it out I’ll put it on here.

Thanks!

What is your budget? Terrain?

Knowing what type of driving you want to do helps. Obviously something with a higher center of gravity and narrow wheel base is going to be easier to tip. However you want to be high enough to see where you are going and not having to strain to see around the horse. We currently have a forecart and while it would take quite the bump or hill slant to roll the beast you have to stand in order to negotiate tricky terrain well (especially on a grade) because of the seat height and any pleasure driving group would frown upon it’s noisy utilitarian ways.

You said cart so I am assuming two wheels rather than four (which is my assumption for the word “carriage”).

While I was looking I was leaning strongly between the Frey Sprint and the Wagner carts, both US companies. I did ultimately go with a Kutzmann, but that was mainly because we were able to pick up a carriage at the same time and saved a good chunk purchasing both together.

It’ll be mostly on gravel roads, dirt arenas, and grass. No hills or anything.

As far as budget, I can’t afford a lot. I’m not looking to spend more than $2000. I know it’s not a lot, but this is just a hobby of mine and so I don’t want to spend too much for it.

Yes, a 2 wheeled cart is what I’m thinking is the best option for me. I’m looking at a steel easy entry cart (new). It has 26" pneumatic wheels and the seat is several inches above the top of the wheel. It weighs 140lbs. The website said it would fit 12-16hh horses.

As far as noise, durability, etc, what’s your opinion? Do you think this cart would be suitable for what I want to do?

Thanks for your help!

http://store.albertacarriagesupply.net/easy-entry-cart-for-light-horses-with-shafts/dp/5191

This is the cart I’m looking at. Your thoughts appreciated!

The cart you linked to lacks suspension other than what is under seat. You might look around for a cart that also has leaf springs as seen here: https://www.google.com/search?ei=oVhsWPzPNOae0gKqkYawAw&q=fairview+country+sales+%2B+carts&oq=fairview+country+sales+%2B+carts&gs_l=mobile-gws-serp.3..33i160k1.23670.28305.0.29330.13.13.0.0.0.0.187.1744.1j11.12.0....0...1.1.64.mobile-gws-serp..1.7.1172...0i22i30k1.SOudolHJ1bw#imgrc=WJmfJvO4OgUPAM%3A

The tire wheels do provide a smoother ride but make sure you get no flat tires and wheels strong enough for off road.

[B]The ‘easy entry’ carts do NOT hold up !

  • even to just arena driving *

  • a waste of $ [/B]

For casual driving I think this cart has a lot of bang for the buck and tire/shaft options. http://www.kingston-saddlery.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=61
I don’t know the exchange rate but the one you linked seemed expensive.
A used sprint cart would serve you well also

Zu Zu, why do you think that? Have you had experience with different manufacturers?

How sturdy do the wheels (spokes) and the cart overall look to you?

Is suspension a big deal? I could always check with them to see if they can add something.

Thanks again for your advice - it’s HUGELY appreciated!

It looks like an okay starter cart. I would be suspicious of the idea that it would fit 12-16 hands well simply changing out the shaft tips. I would want to know the gauge of the spokes. You want something akin to motorcycle spokes rather than bicycle ones as the smaller spokes aren’t going to stand up to the combination of weight, bumps, and turning forces. It might be fine for a while, but catastrophic failure is a possibility with thin spokes. There are things you can do to pneumatic tires to prevent flats and blowouts like liners, monkey snot, and I think there is a foam you can have sprayed in to make them just about solid.

You never know until you drive them, but I imagine the one you are looking at will be a reasonably quiet ride. I don’t know how comfy the ride will be with just the springs under the seat. I don’t think I’ve been in one without leaf springs so can’t speak for the ride quality on the seat springs.

If you know anyone local to you who drives see if they would let you tag along in their cart(s) to get a feel for the type of ride you like as well. Good carts tend to retain value well, but you should be able to find more cart for your money keeping an eye out for a solid used one.

If you are determined to get new Kingston Saddlery at http://kingston-saddlery.com have decent carts in your price range with a variety of options. I don’t know where you are, but they offer free shipping in the lower 48 of the USA. Speaking of shipping be sure you include shipping costs in your budget! I haven’t owned one personally, but the people I know who have them have been reasonably hapoy with them and the ones I have seen appear fairly sturdy.

If you’re on Facebook, join Carriage Driving Classifieds and post a wanted ad. There are dealers and private sellers all the US and Canada that might be able to help you find the right cart.

[QUOTE=SLW;8995789]
The cart you linked to lacks suspension other than what is under seat. You might look around for a cart that also has leaf springs as seen here: https://www.google.com/search?ei=oVhsWPzPNOae0gKqkYawAw&q=fairview+country+sales+%2B+carts&oq=fairview+country+sales+%2B+carts&gs_l=mobile-gws-serp.3..33i160k1.23670.28305.0.29330.13.13.0.0.0.0.187.1744.1j11.12.0....0...1.1.64.mobile-gws-serp..1.7.1172...0i22i30k1.SOudolHJ1bw#imgrc=WJmfJvO4OgUPAM%3A

The tire wheels do provide a smoother ride but make sure you get no flat tires and wheels strong enough for off road.[/QUOTE]

Oooh, I saw an option for torsion axles on that site - those are the bomb. They are pretty much standard on every Amish buggy, for very good reason. They give a great ride. :slight_smile:

I am also going to say that the pictured cart is way too expensive for the type cart you will get. Those carts might serve for a few weeks to start a horse, but are not going to hold up well for daily use or even being used often. Weight is too small to be stong metal, which will fatigue and break when not expected. The wire-spoked wheels, especially non-motorcycle wheels, tend to fold over on turns. Not built for the torque a horse puts on them.

For your budget, you should be able to find a suitable cart and harness used, that are safer for your horse. Among things to look for, are springs under the seat for a better ride. These are leaf springs on the wooden vehicles, not little coiled springs. A nice back rest, which makes long drives a lot more comfortable. We prefer larger wheels, wooden on wooden carts. The bigger diameter will span ruts and holes for a better ride. You want shafts of cart to ride level on the horse sides, about midway down his barrel at the harness saddle. Uphill or downhill shafts put a load on the horse back, which he should not have. A wider saddle, 4" for 2-wheel carts, spreads the load of shafts better on his back.

Is horse already trained to drive? If not, you will want to check around for Driving trainers to help you out in learning and training horse. You want a solid education on horse when you drive. There are other Drivers in your area, maybe not close, but “near” as western distances go. They are usually helpful and informative folks, who can save you grief as you learn about Driving. Maybe even a Driving Club you could join.

The Driving Classified Facebook page does show LOTS of vehicles. A whole range of prices on them and harness that is out there, cheaper than new. New is not always better if you can get a better vehicle design used. The one you showed is a poor choice, though a LOT cheaper in my area. It won’t make you happy if you really want to drive much. Better to look around more, find a much more suitable vehicle, wood or metal, that you will enjoy better. Get some measurements off your horse, where that shaft location measures on his body, how long his body is, so you can get one the correct size for him. Get his body measurements, girth, chest from saddle side to other saddle side, bridle over his head, lip corner to lip corner, back length, stifle to stifle for breeching size. Reins are iffy, since shaft lengths vary on carts or carriages. Plus you want reins to fit your hands comfortably. 1" to 1 1/2" wide, may be strong, but they are tiring to use for any amount of time. My husband doesn’t use such wide reins!!

Lots to learn, so keep asking questions. You might want to read old posts here, tons of good information in them.

Carrie94 - I will pm you in the next few days with contacts for good new and used carts - a variety.

  • I’m not up to par and thus will not outline the information here just to be skewered by mean girls as CT labels them …

yes I ‘know’ driving harness and carts - horses and ponies - good and bad
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check your pm in a day or so

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Thanks Zu Zu!

I looked at some of the different websites you guys had posted, but Kingston doesn’t ship to Canada, Frey is too expensive, and I couldn’t find anything for Kutzmann closer to home. Man, finding carts is harder than I thought.

Are motorbike tires strong enough?

How does this one look?

http://www.ccfdriving.com/EE_GT%2044inches.htm

http://www.ahonen.com/traveler.htm

Maybe this one?

There is also a Facebook page called CDE & Pleasure Driving Buy, Sell, & Learn that always has a variety of vehicles for sale. Meadowbrooks and Road Carts abound well within your price range. The CD-L list is another good source.

I wonder if you could contact Kingston about arranging shipping. They may consider it and it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Frey does have their Rebel cart that is in your range (I would probably upgrade the wheels if it were me) http://colonialcarriage.com/item.cfm?id=1271

The only real downside to the wood carts is that they don’t really break down for easy transport. Being able to remove the shafts and in some cases the wheels reasonably easily is a great feature on the metal carts that allows you to go more places with horse and cart. If you just plan on driving on and around home it isn’t so much of a deal.

Yes, motorcycle tires should withstand the stress. One cart I had was a second hand homemade deal with rear motorcycle axels and tires. It was beastly, but the independent suspension on both sides made it a super smooth ride.

Getting in touch with your local driving club can also lead to some good finds as well as the above mentioned Facebook group.

I don’t know if they make larger carts but I have heard good things about Pattys Pony Place. They specialize in mini items but may also do larger or know of a good supplier. They are in Canada and nice to talk with.