Driving Question

[albilusitano]

Help,

I really need a Miniture Harness for my pony. The little cart I have, has one middle shaft. So where can I get a harness from that attaches correctly ?

[Wally]

Err, has it 4 wheels too?

I think what you have is a pairs vehicle, no good as it is with one horse at all. You need to get some shafts made up.

Have you a picture of it?

What you describe is a pole, not a shaft and is for pairs and teams.

[albilusitano]

no, it's a lil antique dog cart....designed for a large breed dog that is bigger than my 30 inch mini !

[Esther.D]

If it has a central shaft then it must be designed for a pair of dogs rather than one :) You cannot have a single dog/horse/goat whatever in a vehicle with a middle shaft, there has to be one each side. Have you a photo?

[albilusitano]

Ok this isn't my one but the same (mine's better condition). My phone won't email photo's at the moment !

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a158/albilusitano/dogcart.jpg

[Esther.D]

I see what you mean now - in order to be pulled by a pony that would need to be altered to have a pair of shafts instead of a central pole :) Unfortunately that is the only solution as there is no harnessing arrangement to allow for a pony on one side of the pole as that would pull the vehicle lopsidedly as well as putting uneven strains on the pony. You need to find someone handy with woodwork who can make up and fit a pair of shafts for you.

[Wally]

I agree with Esther, you cannot put a single pony in a pairs vehicle, not only will it hurt the pony the vehicle just won't run properly and you'll have a deal of trouble setting up some harness.

A pair of shafts will be a simple thing to set up. You can buy Breeching D's and very nbice tug stops fome the internet from a lot of carriage supply places, To make the shafts look really good you can get brass shaft tips too!

[albilusitano]

Ok, I will search through the net and get it transformed. I have a very good carpenter friend who would be fine sorting it out for me....he's good with horse boxe's too ! So will ask him.

Thanks for your help !!

[Wally]

Don't make the shafts too long, you don;t want them protruding beyond the point of her/his shoulder. Put the tug stops level with where the pad will go so when the horse is pulling the tug buckle is on the pad. Make sure too that the pony isn't too far away from the cart.