The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Pets & Working Animals => Horses, ponies, donkeys & mules => Topic started by: miniaturesabound on March 13, 2012, 06:39:22 pm

Title: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: miniaturesabound on March 13, 2012, 06:39:22 pm: :horse: I have several shetland ponies and I have now broken the older ones to harness with the intention of using them to haul stuff and harrow, they are so strong.
Problem is, apart from sweet little carts I can't find anything suitable in the way of implements for them to pull. Most harrows far too big. I was also hoping to find something suitable to load dung into but no such luck so far.
Has anyone else tried? Any ideas?
Title: Re: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: shetlandpaul on March 14, 2012, 12:56:23 pm: look at quad tools and adapt. there are the odd tool that comes up for sale on ebay. good luck we have two just about ready.
Title: Re: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: Fowgill Farm on March 15, 2012, 11:55:31 am: The Northern Tool catalogue is great for mini implements, some bit pricey but sturdy gear.
I have had ATV stuff from them to adapt for my little tractor(16HP)
HTH
Mandy :pig:
Title: Re: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: miniaturesabound on March 16, 2012, 01:15:40 pm: Thank you for the tips - I shsll keep my eyes open on e-bay and farm auctions for such stuff. Happy driving with your two ponies.
Title: Re: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: FiB on March 16, 2012, 01:37:49 pm: The guy that had our land before us used an old rusty gate to harrow!!!! Think he used a quad bike to tow it, but I know he did use horses at some point cause I found an old harness and lots of books on it. Good luck - lovely to hear about and I'm surprsied not more goes on.
Title: Re: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: confused on June 20, 2012, 06:52:44 pm: I would be interested to hear how you got on with the shetlands , great little pony's and your correct they are strong , my Grandfather had 2, Star and Bob, he used them for all sorts , carting seaweed from the beach, carting driftwood and seacoal from the beach, He had baskets that he had made and hung them over the saddles , and also used them for carting whelks up from the shoreline , i remember him with great affection walking up from the beach with his pipe hanging out his mouth, and the 2 pony's walking along behind him , time meant nothing to him , the only time i ever seen him rush was if i had arrived unexpectedly, when he would then say to Star and Bob " hurry up ! The laddie wants a hurl on yer back " , he never had a bit in their mouths , if he walked they followed , and if he went somewhere strange or wanted to work a wee bit ground he led them with a headcollar, a legand in his own time.
Title: Re: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: nettie on July 05, 2012, 09:47:07 am: Many years ago I used to show and breed shetlands
We had 3 working the land and a few people sent their deliquent ponies for us to work for the summer
all have gone on to be fab driving ponies
I think working the fields is good grounding for them
I even joined the Midlands Working Horse group ... I took 2 ponies to do some snigging and they earned a brass ;D
Title: Re: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: FoulaLass on March 16, 2013, 05:04:30 am: How did it go? I'm breaking my 3 fillies to harness and klibbers (pack saddle) this summer. I've got 2 geldings already broken to ride and work klibbers but would love to have them working the land too.
Title: Re: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: Shropshirelass on March 29, 2013, 07:33:33 pm: Try this site:

http://www.dragondriving.co.uk/cartsnew.php?ddi=2 (http://www.dragondriving.co.uk/cartsnew.php?ddi=2)
Title: Re: Using shetlands on the land
Post by: sabrina on April 01, 2013, 10:33:23 pm: How about a blacksmith, my one makes all sorts of things for people and if you could draw a plan of what you have in mind maybe a blacksmith could make it for you.