[Rosemary]

It's time to get a harrow for Smokey to pull. I'm looking at the 3 way chain harrow from SCH Supplies, which is 36kg and 1.5 square or the Triple Harrow from BSG - comes in two sizes 1.2m square or 1.8m wide by 1.2m long.

Smokey is a 15.1hh Highland pony; he'll have a French collar.

I'd welcome any advice on the suitability of the harrows.

[silver swan]

Hi Rosemary,

Not sure if this is any help? 

Perhaps try contacting Devon Heavy Horses (good web site) where they work Suffolk Punches - ploughing/harrowing etc. Yes, Suffolks are  somewhat bigger than Smokey, but these guys seem to know what they're doing and offer training courses. Maybe they could answer your queries? I do know that Devon is nowhere your neck of the woods, but I'm currently housesitting (Axminster) down the road from them. If I can I shall visit them and pick their brains too. I want to learn more about working horses as I've got a 15.3 traditional coloured cob (who definitely looks like he should be pulling something). Only heard about them by accident the other day when having lunch with neighbours.

I've only got 2 1/2 weeks to do it though before the long haul back home (near Inverness).

Just a thought.....

[Rosemary]

I've only got 2 1/2 weeks to do it though before the long haul back home (near Inverness).

Thanks for this! Call into Angus on your way home and share  Kettles on!

[silver swan]

Thanks for that Rosemary. 

If car behaves (currently 'naughty' and in menders), traffic co-operates then will do. Could say thank you in person to you and Dan for this excellent site/managing the Forums. Would bring a Devon cream tea but don't think it would be that good after 2 days in the car!

Sould hit Scotland Weds 2nd March.

Susan 

[Pony-n-trap]

If you were passing Aberdeenshire I would say call in here as well!  Would love info on horse harrows for my cobs.

Shall watch this post with interest!

[egglady]

me too!  me too!   

Fife

nothing for you to say thanks for but you would be welcome to coffee and cake and a wee rest after such a long journey!!

[silver swan]

Think I might be onto something here ladies; will do my best. XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

[lazybee]

Hi,
Back to harrows. I found one when clearing brambles. I got another one from a farmer, he had it blocking a hole in one of his hedges. There are quite a few around if you keep your eyes open. It's like when you get a new car. You see the same model everywhere when you didn't see them before. The ones I have are rigidly linked with spikes on one side and with curly hooks for the traces. I use the spiked side in the sand school and the flat side to spread horse poo. If you know anyone coming to France I can get one anytime. They will fit in the back of a Discovery, that's how I picked one up. If not, keep you eyes peeled, gaps in stone walls is another good place.

[ellied]

If you're passing through Fife perhaps you could come here too

I'd love to know about working the highlands and what equipment suits them as it seems I do all the work here and my lot just eat and watch me

[silver swan]

Hi All,

Not had any joy with the Devon Heavy horse lot so far - bet they're very busy? Will try once more. Failing that, when I get back home I am going to scour the Highlands for any living souls who would be able/willing to pass on their experience/offer workshops. It will be one of my missions 'cos I'm getting more and more frustrated that all the working horse knowledge is rapidly disappearing.

Another concern is lack of suitable equipment. I used to live near Reading where they have regular carriage sales and carts/old baker's van etc crop up. Bit of a long way to transport something though. As sale day approaches, there is an online catalogue where everything is pictured and I drool over some of it. Once saw a particularly fine restored Game Dealer's cart. That was over 5 years ago and wasn't cheap.

Every time I go to our local antique/salvage yard I hunt for anything suitable and not just to hang on the wall! Once came across a full set of harness that was outside being rained upon. Too dillapidated for my meagre repair skills though.

just where has all this stuff gone?!!!   

[ellied]

I know a couple of folk who do forestry work with highland ponies if that's any use to you, but I don't own any forestry at present

It did cross my mind to see about buying a piece of forest as the land is cheaper than agricultural/grazing land, and set up some weird smallholding based on forest/conservation grazing, a piggy corner to uproot stumps, a small deer herd safely fenced in, of course a logging pony doing the thinning for firewood and building, and eventually get planning for a log cabin made on site  

[faith0504]

ELLIED that sounds wonderful 

[silver swan]

You bet that's of interest. We live on edge of Darnaway forest and OH has permision to take fallen/dead stuff. EVERY time he takes the dogs for a walk he comes back dragging 2 long branches, then goes down to his stick shed to saw them up (we have 3 wood burners).

He'd be in his element if a pony could help!! And I'd get another neddy, yeeha! It would be a good start. Wish I still had my standard shetland then OH wouldn't be able to say 'when's she going to do something useful?'

Where abouts are you (approx)?

Ta v much. 

[Rosemary]

I'm going for the BSG three way harrow 1.2 x 1.2 m square. It's not too expensive, so we'll try it and see. We can pull it with the X Trail or an ATV, should we ever get one, if it's too much for Smokey.

I'm going to measure him for his French collar tomorrow.

I contacted Charlie at daleslogger.co.uk but they're moving this year and not running any courses, so I'll just have to rope my chums (aka AengusOg) into getting the pony going.

[silver swan]

Good luck Rosemary.

Look forward to the photos of Smokey pulling the harrow!