Recent content by melgray97

Several months ago, I purchased a mini of unknown breeding, but more of the UK Shetland style. She is my driving horse. My Paso Fino is retired, so I had to have something I could keep on my current acreage & something that wouldn't drive up the feed bills too badly. I also desperately wanted...

It is great to get some experience driving an experienced horse. There are lots of moments where the horse will step in to help you out. My first driving experience was with a great instructor and her off-the-track Standardbred. That helped me when I started working on training my big horse...

I highly recommend the book "Breaking and Training the Driving Horse" by Doris Ganton. It is a great book in that it presents a very step-by-step approach in a clear and very easy to follow format. The book and her video were an invaluable resource, along with regular lessons with a fantastic...

What type of terrain are you planning on driving in? Flat? Hills? Sandy? Knowing that will help determine the weight your mini can comfortably pull & also will impact advice on wheel configuration, etc. For example,wooden wheels, because they are more narrow,will sink into sand, while a...

I am VERY excited! I somehow wound up on the Patty's Pony Place website and was clicking through the different pages on the site. Kelly, Patty's husband, makes shaft sets and a suspension kit to upgrade basic easy entry carts. After several emails back and forth and a telephone conversation...

My mare detested a single jointed snaffle, so before I tried a French link. It literally sounds like she is attempting to grind it in two while she is wearing it. Before buying another bit, I really got down and dirty and checked out her mouth. Teeth are good, but I noted she has a low...

Minimor - It is. I have looked at the CTM shafts, but they are 16" where they sit in the tugs. I've also looked at the Kingston shafts, but worry that the location of the bend where the tugs sit is situated in the wrong place and will result in the shaft extending beyond the point of the...

Help! I have an easy entry cart with 48" shafts that I am using with my newly acquired 37.5" mini. I want longer shafts with enough room in between for her to be able to bend & move properly. Even at fighting weight, she has a very solid build (c-size mini comfyfit harness with pony...

Help! I have an easy entry cart with 48" shafts that I am using with my newly acquired 37.5" mini. I want longer shafts with enough room in between for her to be able to bend & move properly. Even at fighting weight, she has a very solid build (c-size mini comfyfit harness with pony...