Realistically, how much could The Naughty Pony pull?

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

Panda-chan (aka The Naughty Pony) might need a job.

He’s 10-11 years old

10.2h

480-500 lbs, probably

Sturdy little bugger - looks like he might be at least part Welsh.

“Delicate” will never be used in reference to this guy

Based on the white hairs high up on both sides of his withers, and further based on his trying to follow our neighborhood driving guy when he came by once with his wagon & 2 mares, we think he was driven before.

So… if I were to bite the bullet and get into this whole driving thing… presumably he could pull me in a small cart/buggy/whatever they’re called. Could he pull 2 adults?

Just wondering, because Lord knows it’s too frickin’ hot to ride these days.

Thanks.

[Quelah]

I’ll probably be contradicted soundly by people with more experience than I, but I think the question should be how much “should” he pull. Remember, if it’s too hot to ride, it’s too hot to drive

That said, I’d say one adult, two only if they’re very petite. Like I said, I’m sure I’ll be contradicted, but I find it very sad to see small ponies or VSEs pulling two adults, or a very small VSE and a very large adult.

Since you’re so close to Drew Callahan, best bet might be to ask his opinion, he’s a great guy!

[butlerfamilyzoo]

I think it all depends on where you are driving and your vehicle. I drive on the roads primarily with my 38" stocky mini with a very lightweight cart (i can lift it myself, i dont know what it weighs, but i’m no weight lifter…) It has pnuematic (sp) tires which seem to help them “float” for lack of a better word, but they do roll a little easier. The bigger the tire, the easier to pull.

I was at a carriage auction earlier this year and helped a girl get a big wedding carriage moved. I’m sure it weighed 800lbs or more. I felt bad cause the girl moving it was maybe 10… It was an eye opener at how easy it was to move! A little tough to get started, but i’m only 150lbs and 5’3… So it’s not like i’ve got a lot of weight and muscle to throw into it, maybe more like flab… he he he…

Of course, that was on a flat solid surface. I dont know that i could pull it up a hill. But i dont even think i would have known if a few people would have jumped on, it pulled that easy.

That being said, i’ve driven my mini with two adults in the cart on the streets (flat no hills) he doesnt even break a sweat and keeps to a nice trot. He’s a work-a-holic. I’ve trail driven him with my son (who is only 2 and 30lbs soaking wet) and did some hellish hills on sand trails. Again, my pony did not break a sweat and seemed to love every minute of it.

I do not feel i’m putting him through too much, but he is very fit. And i do know there are others here that think i’m terrible to make him pull such a weight. When you go to amish communities you’ll see ponies smaller than mine pulling a cart LOADED with kids and usually a kid sitting on the pony too. I have a picture of this from an auction! And the pony was only 2! Now that made me a little sad. But i also know some amish who still have the 30yr old pony that is still doing this and has been passed down from generation to generation…

[butlerfamilyzoo]

I had to find the pic of this little pony and all the kids:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y67/butlerfamilyzoo/auctionpony.jpg?t=1281794468

While NOT what i would do… This pony was pretty darn small and narrow and only 2. He pulled a darn good price putting on this display.

[Thomas_1]

White hairs on the withers mean ill fitting tack or harness for a long time. Nothing more and nothing less. The presence of white hairs would make me be very cautious when riding or driving and prepared for napping and evasion if riding (could be ill fitting saddle (dependent on where on the withers) or ill fitting breastplate. If considering driving then I’d be prepared for backing off or jibbing due to a previous ill fitting neck strap and/or collar.

Following the driving horse? Heck I was once out with a young pair and happened upon the local race horse trainer riding one and leading two and so seeing him in the distance and in consideration I turned left at the cross roads so we wouldn’t be going the same way. In the blink of an eye all three horses were following me and the trainer was nursing his backside! Trust me none of those race horses had ever so much as seen a carriage before!

10.2 hand and 2 people? Let’s presume one is a driver and very very petite and the other might be a nice little 120 delicate soul and then you might get away with it. PROVIDING you’ve got a beautifully balanced light 2 wheel gig with large wheels and VERY little drag or traction.

But it’s not I’d want to do with any of my Welsh ponies.

If it’s too hot to ride then it’s too hot to drive.

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

OK, first let me say that I’m not talking about driving him now while it’s beastly hot. I can see now that what I wrote implied that’s what I was thinking. I meant that I was contemplating things to do with The Naughty Pony because I have spare time to think about things because it’s too hot to ride.

Plus Prozac Pony was off due to hives from The Gnats From Hell, and Mr. Blondie has been off due to rubbing most of the hair off his face. (Looks like Al Jolson.) So I was thinking that maybe The Naughty Pony needed a job.

And even if I wanted to drive now while it’s beastly hot, I don’t have a cart or harness, I’ve never driven (just long-lining), and he’s not in shape.

Perhaps I should instead spend my spare time working on the clarity of my written communication

Anyway… LOVE the photo of the pony pulling the Amish cart.

The attached photos should give you some idea of his size. The big boys are 15 3 1/2 ish and 15 2 1/2 ish.

If I were to drive, I would be driving around the neighborhood, primarily on dirt roads. Mostly flat, but with some up & down - nothing steep.

And it would probably only be 2-4 times a month, so it would have to be something he could do while in light work, as opposed to working up to being really in shape through lots of regular work.

And I would definitely find a driving trainer to work with. I have a friend who knows someone, because she used to breed Section D Welsh Cobs, and she drove them as well as rode them.

[Thomas_1]

Cute pony… The 2nd photo ![](ade me smile… Put me in mind of one of those photos of a criminal going to a court with his eyes blanked out so no one would recognise him and be biased for his dreadful deeds! :winkgrin:

I’ve a plan though. Do you know what a unicorn is?? (hint: I don’t mean the mythical creature. I mean in driving terms)

Here’s a clue:

[IMG]http://i12.photobucket.com/albums/a205/classic_carriages/driving/shetlandpair0008.jpg)

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

Thomas - the white hairs are too far forward to be from a saddle - even a saddle put on by a really stupid person. They’re where an ill-fitting harness would rub.

So it sounds like with the right lightweight cart, I might get away with just myself in the cart (just as no one would ever call The Naughty Pony “delicate”, no one would ever call me “petite”), but probably not another adult. Possibly a small child, over the correct kind of ground.

Does that seem reasonable?

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

Nope, don’t know what a unicorn is. That’s a cute photo, though.

But… if I got a SECOND Naughty Pony of matching size, I could pull 2 adults with the pair, right?

Of course, then I wouldn’t need to pull 2 adults, because Mr. RAR would leave me :no:

Tell me what you were thinking about the unicorn <going off to Wikipedia…>

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

Hmmm…

are you thinking I need to hook ALL THREE of them to a carriage?

http://www.canterburytailfarm.com/images/unicor1n.jpg

THAT would be a sight to see. It would almost be worth doing just for the photo op.

[Thomas_1]

[QUOTE=Risk-Averse Rider;5034524]
Thomas - the white hairs are too far forward to be from a saddle - [/QUOTE] Yep. Now you’ve posted the photo I can see them. I’m thinking a neck strap that’s been ill fitting.

So it sounds like with the right lightweight cart,
2 large wheels and well balanced and a light weight carriage. A gig or a trap type

I might get away with just myself in the cart
Indeed.

Does that seem reasonable?
:yes:

Does a pair or a unicorn sound unreasonable ?

[Thomas_1]

[QUOTE=Risk-Averse Rider;5034534]
Hmmm…

are you thinking I need to hook ALL THREE of them to a carriage?

http://www.canterburytailfarm.com/images/unicor1n.jpg[/QUOTE] What a fabulous turn out. Do you know who it is?

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

No idea who’s in the photo. It’s from a web site for a Friesian driving place in Ocala, Florida: http://www.canterburytailfarm.com/Friesians_driving.htm

[MunchingonHay]

the photo of the Unicorn being driven at Devon Horseshow is David Saunders at the whip driving Jackie Musler’s horses.

[Quelah]

[QUOTE=MunchingonHay;5034602]
the photo of the Unicorn being driven at Devon Horseshow is David Saunders at the whip driving Jackie Musler’s horses.[/QUOTE]

Well that explains it!

[Thomas_1]

It does indeed.

English driver :winkgrin: