how much can he push? (or pull!)

[LauraLou]

Thinking of things to do with my falabella x pony. He really needs to be in work as he is getting really stroppy and bolshy now.
Want something to aim towards though. Was thinking about driving him, but dont know how much weight he could pull? Would be good for him to have a purpose, he does enjoy his work and I need to kepe the weight off him but lunging and long reining gets boring!
This is him...

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Mooky1/DSC02436.jpg
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b86/Mooky1/DSC02384.jpg

Not sure of his height, maybe 8hh?

[Alfies-slave]

Hi, my 8hh does 3k off road (hilly, Yorkshire Dales)every day. He pulls 1 adult and a Bennington Mini 2 wheeler. He also does 10k show drives (going hell for leather up hill down dale off road!)

If you get a well made 2 wheeler he should have no problem pulling 2 average adults.

However, how much a horse can pull depends upon how well it is trained to pull, ie how efficiently. It also depends upon fitness, fit of harness and balance/design of the cart!

[LauraLou]

Thanks for the reply! Basically what I am thinking is if I break him to cart its going to be pretty much only me driving him, and its a bit pointless if I cant dirve him as he wouldnt get driven! :D I am 10 stone, would this not be toio much for him? Someone down my old yard said the most he would be able to pull would be a small child, thats why I am asking. Am looking into various carts and such too. Is there any make that you would recommend for the little uns? This is all new to me! Thanks! :D

[shandy84]

The Robinsons cart is very light but i'm not sure how small they go :)

[Alfies-slave]

Humm, my 8 hh pulls over 20 stone for miles and miles!

[sabreig]

When our 2 shetlands were younger (now 20 and 25) they used to pull my dad, then about 16 - 17 stone, a friend of my dads and little me (not so little now :D ) and they'd happily trot along for hours, we were more tired than them when we got home. They are 32" and 34".

[dlace]

Lucky 31" high pulling OH @ 14 stone plus saddlechariot 35 kilos, she has just overtaken the bay pony who is 41", both having fun:) http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/ChaznDaz/SaddlechariotBigSheep22-1.jpg
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t219/ChaznDaz/SaddlechariotBigSheep22-1.jpg

[LauraLou]

Brilliant! I was thinking he would only be able to pull a small child, thats what someone down my old yard told me. Has anyone got the link to Robinsons carts? Cant seem to find them anywhere!:rolleyes:

[Wally]

Whiffy is 36 inches, she ALWAYS get s the fastest time in the cone driving at the local show. And that's with more than 14 stone of me plus her 11 year old driver!

he's 32 inches, you'll need a light vehicle but 2 light adults should be no problem. You have to remember he's a Fallabelle X, so he won't have the utter "tough as old boots" a pure Shetland will have.

Having just been dragged on a 5 mile drive yesterday with Andy and Charlie, both pulling the BIG waggonette, with four folk in it, up hill and down dale. They fought and bounced the wholw way around, I got back expecting them to have heaving sides......not a bit of it, not even a bead of sweat!......then Andy does have a bum like a Limousin bull! ;) ;)

[Libbyo]

Robinsons cart now not in the catalogue. Similar on ebay. That saddle chariot looks lots of fun. Are they expensive?

[laura jeanne]

Cute cute pony.

btw, my son-in-law, a phd in physics, says that in the lower level of physics studies, there is a lot of debate about the push/pull theory but at higher levels, the only thing that matters is that something is moving.

[Wally]

With a saddle chariot you cannot enter any shows and some drive outs are not available.

You can only take yourself and no friends.

[Demson]

As a guide line it is estimated that a horse or pony can comfortably pull 1 1/2 times it's own body weight.

[LinzCos]

With a saddle chariot you cannot enter any shows and some drive outs are not available.

You can only take yourself and no friends.

There again you get your friends queuing up to have a go - the saddle chariot is such a great laugh! Dead easy for a beginner driver and beginner pony too.

[Wally]

I don't want my friends who cannot drive queuing up to "have a go" with my ponies!


The bigger the wheels on a vehicle the easier the job for the horse and the more comfy a ride you both get. It is easier for a beginner pony to pull big wheels than little ones.

[jinglejoys]

Also depends on the weight of the cart.The Saddlechariot only weighs about 30kilo and also has an instant release to help prevent accidents.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y190/jinglejoys/cid_001e01c702cbb9e4e1707a1a8351you.jpg

Blue loves hers and goes much better in it and we can reach parts other horse drawn vehicles can't;) We have far more fun than when I was taking her out in a conventional trap and she finds it much easier to pull.
We also drive bitless and blinkerless.
http://naturaldriving.co.uk/content_home.php here's the link if you want to make your own mind up:D

[LinzCos]

Well said JJ. Ozzy loves his Saddle Chariot too and being bitless with the quick release I am confident enough to let beginners drive him. It is great to encourage friends to have a go and enjoy a new experience. Ozzy needs the exercise and any beginner tends to be a bit more cautious than my mad kids anyway;)

[ShariN]

I know this is on this side of the Pond.. but there is a "Hyper Bike" over here they make for mini's.. I know a lot of mini folks that have had them for many years and highly recommend them.
They run from 25lb to 35lbs in weight.

In fact..if my Ice mare sells ,I am going to get one specially made for my handicapps.
Granted this is another single person contraption but is nice for those beach get togethers or trails with tough going.

http://www.pacifier.com/~carriage/

The owner is a very nice person to work with.

http://f9g.yahoofs.com/groups/g_18481727/.HomePage/__sr_/9b6f.jpg?grAOWmGBPZkDy3J.

As for how much weight a mini can pull,, depends on the Mini. Maggie is 35 inches tall and is at her max with my country road cart and with the weight I have gained for the track and trails we drive on. So 255lbs. Which is her weight.
Now Wally's real Shetlands can pull more.

Here is Maggie, I and my fairy weight niece on the flat drive.
http://i69.photobucket.com/albums/i51/Bergere/maggiebrandyincart1sept06.jpg