Pony Cart Blueprints

[Marhlfld]

Does anyone have a source or link where I could obtain blueprints for building a real pony cart? Hey, with gas prices, that backyard pony is looking like a real solution. 10 lbs. of pasture grass and a few carrots will get great mileage!;-)

[TNHermit]

http://www.wildhorsebooks.com/horse-drawn_vehicles.htm

http://www.wildhorsebooks.com/Plans.htm

I have some that are for child toys. I made some. They would have to be scaled up. I'm not sure if the company is in business.

Old POP Mech and Science have them. Probably the Mother Earth News had some

Just spent two hours talking to my daughter last night about this. Her son wants to learn blacksmithing and they live two miles from town. She thinks that it would be nice to make a buckboard with a built in cooler and deliver groceries for people in the radius. I say go for it.

[cleosbcs]

There are some really important concepts involved in making horse drawn vehicles in order for them to be safe for horses and drivers. Carts (two wheels) need to be very well balanced in order to avoid soring a horse's shoulders, etc. Wheels are very difficult to make and it would be best to incorporate bicycle tires or wheels made by an experienced wheel wright.

Buying a used cart and trained horse or pony would be the best bet, plus getting driving lessons so no one gets killed. Driving is a good bit more dangerous than riding.

[cleosbcs]

Forgot to add that new carts and harness can be had for a wide range of prices from various mail order or internet sources. But again, find someone to learn from before you ever hook up a horse or pony, especially one not trained to drive. I've known of people who have gotten horses killed doing this and people who have gotten killed driving.

[Alder]

Driving is much more dangerous than riding. In the old days MANY people died in buggy accidents and I've seen some horrible accidents in my time. Runaways, equipment failures, crazy horses, bee stings, inexperienced drivers and run-over bystanders. Ugly scenarios. Get some help from somebody who drives regularly and trains driving horses.

These folks sell a decent, safe and not too expensive road-type cart. The wheels and axles don't hold up well offroad. http://easyentrycart.com/
Frontier Trading Post Inc.

[cleosbcs]

Hope no one minds if I revive this thread briefly. When I saw this thread originally, I had no intention of getting a pony cart. I've always been interested in driving, have a little experience driving teams, and always thought, someday...well, I'm getting older and I'm starting to think someday isn't going to happen without help.

Happened to hear of a cart and harness at a yard sale and ended up buying it, because the rig is a little rare. The cart is pony size and has shafts for one pony, or, and this is one got me, a pole for a team of ponies. The original wheels have been replaced with heavy duty metal wheels with solid, instead of inflatable, tires. The undercarriage is very sturdy and the pole and shafts all metal. It was beefed up to take off road.

Also with this I got a set of nickel-spotted pony team harness with two extra bridles and an extra collar. Now I need to find a broke little team with road experience and then someday, a wagon.

[Sunshine]

okay, so it's not a pony...

[cleosbcs]

Note to self: buy ponies that weigh more than I do.

[Freeholder]

That's a nice cart. The way the economy is going, you should be able to get a good deal on a nice team one of these days.

Kathleen

[SimonJ]

The original wheels have been replaced with heavy duty metal wheels with solid, instead of inflatable, tires. The undercarriage is very sturdy and the pole and shafts all metal. It was beefed up to take off road.

They are the original type wheels that were on carts back when. And there are no springs.
That may be ruff on the tail bone. Put cushions on the seat.

[Alder]

Also, without springs and rubber or air-filled tires, the axles are likely to be the breaking point when going off road. (BTDT). Good rig for ponies, though, if you stick to the roads. Remember, a pair of ponies can kill ya as quick as any horse if they aren't good broke to drive. Be careful.

I like the set-up for a pair. Right now I'm trying to come up with a quick and dirty way to put a pole on my cart (instead of shafts for a single) for my two full sized trotters.

[timbo]

Correct me if I'm wrong but don't they use (or use to) pony carts in Ireland?

Maybe I'm getting them confused but it seems like I remember them from years past.

[SimonJ]

Yes, I have friends in Ireland and they have said carts are still used in the country.