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PC1
USA
51 Posts |
 Posted - 09/08/2009 : 4:34:53 PM
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Care to share your experience?
What are you driving (cart, sled, wagon, etc.)?
What are you pulling with (Morgan, Saddlebred, etc)?
How may horses are you pulling with? |
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PC1
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - 09/08/2009 : 4:44:16 PM
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I'll start.
I drove an Amish horse and buggy over this past Labor Day weekend.
The cart was a traditional black Amish buggy.
One horse, four wheels, four seater.
Close your eyes see the black buggy?
That's the one!
It did have rear drum brakes and lights.
My daughter and I really enjoyed the country drive!  |
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AppPonyLady
USA
2 Posts |
Posted - 09/09/2009 : 4:46:46 PM
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| We drive a spring wagon set up as a six-seat surrey (with a fringe on top!) drawn by a grey Arabian stallionin a commercial operation, mostly short trips and weddings. We have a Lipizzan mare (grey of course) who's a little too hot and an Appaloosa mare ( white-blanket white-out roan) who's a little too spooky (thanks to too much Arab/TB) influence, to use in public. Formerly belonged to the CDL group hosted by Dartmouth, no time to spend there lately! |
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Horizon Structures
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 09/10/2009 : 1:45:24 PM
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I've done some limited driving with Hackney ponies. It's very fun and definitely works entirely different muscles than riding! It's something I would do more of if I had the time, but I do prefer riding.
I've also driven with Jill, but I'll let her post about her set up herself! I find driving on the road very unnerving, however. Around here people are used to the buggies, so they ZOOM by you really fast and close. Tourists don't know what to do though when they come up on a horse in the road; it's quite comical really. People zooming by is no problem with a dead broke Amish horse, but another horse might flinch or sidestep once at the car behind it or at something else entirely. The horse doesn't make me nervous, but the crazy drivers do! I wish people had more respect for sharing the road with other types of traffic.
- Nicole -
www.HorizonStructures.com
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dalimomma
9 Posts |
Posted - 09/13/2009 : 7:49:17 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by PC1
Care to share your experience?
What are you driving (cart, sled, wagon, etc.)?
What are you pulling with (Morgan, Saddlebred, etc)?
How may horses are you pulling with?
I am driving an easy entry cart(and sleigh when we get snow...)with an 8 year old quarab gelding. I learned to drive with Morgans and Friesans(too big and too much work- they WERE my fantasy horse)I am a former DQ who learned to drive when I could not ride for 18 months due to a severe knee injury( not horse related).He was Amish/Standardbred "dead broke" when I bought him( at 2and1/2- what was I thinking!) but I guess I got hoodwinked(duh!) because the more I worked with him with my CDE trainers the more we found he had just been scared and over tacked and never really learned how to use his body in harness. Thank God we both got some lessons/training before either of us got hurt and now he is AWESOME and really loves to be hitched more than work under saddle(probably because my physical limitations affect him more under saddle)It is such a joy to see him so happy in a discipline that once caused him such discomfort and he gives so much joy to us. But ironically we both hate the dressage and LOVE the cones! |
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PC1
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 11:10:41 AM
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Hey Nicole,
I know Jill drives, she recommended a book for me (Carriage Driving by Heike Bean).
I’m waiting for her to chime in on this.
I never did get the details of what she drives.
Hoping this gives her the forum! |
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PC1
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 11:27:08 AM
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Hi dalimomma,
Sounds like you have allot of experience driving.
I'm a newbie trying to learn, so I do not understand a lot of what you’re writing about.
What is an easy entry cart?
Is a quarab a Quarter horse Arabian mix?
Wouldn't that be larger then a Morgan?
DQ?
I'm sorry I read your post and my head is full with questions.
Please explain so I may learn.
Thank you in advance for your patience.
I would love to hear and learn more about your driving experiences cart and sleigh!!! |
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dalimomma
9 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 3:24:42 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by PC1
Hi dalimomma,
Sounds like you have allot of experience driving.
I'm a newbie trying to learn, so I do not understand a lot of what you’re writing about.
What is an easy entry cart?
Is a quarab a Quarter horse Arabian mix?
Wouldn't that be larger then a Morgan?
DQ?
I'm sorry I read your post and my head is full with questions.
Please explain so I may learn.
Thank you in advance for your patience.
I would love to hear and learn more about your driving experiences cart and sleigh!!!
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dalimomma
9 Posts |
Posted - 09/15/2009 : 3:40:23 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by PC1
Hi dalimomma,
Sounds like you have allot of experience driving.
I'm a newbie trying to learn, so I do not understand a lot of what you’re writing about.
What is an easy entry cart?
Is a quarab a Quarter horse Arabian mix?
Wouldn't that be larger then a Morgan?
DQ?
I'm sorry I read your post and my head is full with questions.
Please explain so I may learn.
Thank you in advance for your patience.
I would love to hear and learn more about your driving experiences cart and sleigh!!!
Hi: Questions are good- the best thing you can do as a "newbie"(which I still consider myself to be by the way) besides asking questions is find somebody you trust to learn from who is a good teacher.It is hard to go from the saddle to driving - at least it was for me.
An easy entry cart is a two -wheeled cart that you enter from the side. You can buy them new and used on line- they are relatively inexpensive- you switch out the wheels and axle for an axle with runners and voila!- sleigh!
Yup - a quarab is a Qh/Arab cross. They can be big but my guy is not- he is 14.3- I found this to be a comfortable size to hitch and drive. I also ride him and so does my husband on occasion but it looks like he is off to conquer Tibet...
A D.Q. is a "dressage queen"- those days are over and I am having lots of fun!
The sleigh does require at least 8 inches of snow and depending on the terrain you might need more- but that is wonderful. I like driving because you can have someone come along- you can carry a picnic etc. I am also no "spring chicken" and I feel that I'll be able to drive longer than I will be able to stay in the saddle.
Hope this answered your questions.
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Horizon Structures
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2009 : 10:58:28 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by dalimomma
An easy entry cart is a two -wheeled cart that you enter from the side.
As opposed to a regular pony pleasure cart like here: http://www.kee-port.com/ponypleasurecarts.htm. In these kinds of carts the basket goes all the way around, so you have to get in by hiking your leg up and over the back. lol. Not terribly graceful! A road bike (which look like the cart I've links but with a smaller seat and no basket at all) must also be entered this way.
An easy entry or meadowbrook you step up into are much easier!
- Nicole -
www.HorizonStructures.com
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Horizon Structures
USA
82 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2009 : 10:59:43 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by PC1
Hey Nicole,
I know Jill drives, she recommended a book for me (Carriage Driving by Heike Bean).
I’m waiting for her to chime in on this.
I never did get the details of what she drives.
Hoping this gives her the forum!
I did tell her about it, but I'll bug her again! 
- Nicole -
www.HorizonStructures.com
~__/>
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PC1
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - 09/17/2009 : 4:20:31 PM
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Thank you, I searched it on the net an saw quit a few.
They appear to be small and light weight.
The runners looked like a good idea so you can use it as a sleigh too, but I think they appear to be too narrow.
I wonder if it was wider more like a ski it would function better in less snow.
Thanks again for the info.
Please feel free to share any more experiences. |
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PC1
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - 09/25/2009 : 4:19:17 PM
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Dalimomma,
Which easy cart do you have?
Brand, make, model etc.
Do you like it?
Can you give it a review? |
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dalimomma
9 Posts |
Posted - 09/27/2009 : 3:26:24 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by PC1
Dalimomma,
Which easy cart do you have?
Brand, make, model etc.
Do you like it?
Can you give it a review?
Hi: I got mine from a company in Oregon- American Cart and Harness. I do like it - but I got it with the wooden wheels which my husband finished for me in marine grade stain etc. My driving instructor felt the cart with the pneumatic tire wheels would be too light - I 'm glad I took her advice- the wooden wheels are great.I got the black and with the oak wheels it is easy enough to dress up even for little shows- lots of beginners use them. It is very comfortable to hitch , ride and drive. The shafts are easily adjusted and the seats are really comfy. The wire "box" can pick up stuff when used on trails though. It is quite easy to break down to store and transport. You are right on the runners- they are pretty flimsy - but I only really use them as a "toy". If you don't stay on top of their maintenace they will rust. The rest of the cart holds up pretty well. It can seat up to three people.I odered a cob size but if I had it all to do over again I would have gotten the horse size for my guy (he is 14.3)I just feel it would have been more versatile to use with another horse- you can switch out the shafts. Over all I really like it - it's a great starter and lots of trainers don't like to let you use their equipment as it can be very expensive. The cart was about 300 bucks new about 7 years ago - I don't know how much they are now.
I don't know where you are located but the Horse Park of New Jersey holds a ride/drive Turkey Trot every year right before Thanksgiving. There are some very qualified and accomplished people who go - but it is just for fun- not competitive at all. This year there will be a used tack sale as well- you could probably try out some stuff and get lots of good info. Millstone Township has a very active horsemen's association- everyone is very friendly and helpful. I don't have the details at hand but the Horse Parks web site will have everything. Hope this helps- good luck and "good hands"! |
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PC1
USA
51 Posts |
Posted - 09/28/2009 : 10:58:36 AM
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Great info, Thank you!
My goal would be to eventually drive a traditional carriage, but I'm thinking of starting with an easy cart.
While surfing I noticed allot having bicycle/motor cycle wheels and tires.
The carts do look very light weight (I thought that would make it easier for me to handle).
I didn't think about the cart being too light. |
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PetesMom
USA
28 Posts |
Posted - 09/30/2009 : 4:07:32 PM
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Hey there. So sorry I've been "absent" for awhile! I drive an oak Meadowbrook cart which you step in from the side. I thought "easy entry" meant that the seat was split and able to fold so that you could get in from the back??? Anyway, I've been so busy lately that I haven't had much time for driving  Last month I had to move my horses to a new barn, I sold my NASDH and bought a 3/4 Perch/1/4 QH mare. Seller told me she drives. I ground drove her this past Sunday and she seemed OK but "rusty." Will try her a few more times on the ground before hooking her to the cart. My meadowbrook is draft size which probably mainly means that the wheels are larger (taller) for my draft size horses. 2 wheel carts are the BEST if you're just starting out - easier to maneauver. I like the wooden wheels, too. Kind of nervous about possibility of getting a flat several miles from the barn!
Jill
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Anyone driving out there?
