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The harness pony is tough and small enough to make great working animals and family pets.
There are many types of harness ponies bred for different work, but they are all strong and good-natured. Here are some popular breeds:
Shetland ponies
Shetland is one of the smallest pony breeds and very strong for their size. They were originally used for pulling nets and small boats.
Today, Shetland ponies make popular children's riding ponies and are used in small carting and driving competitions.
Hackney ponies
Hackney ponies are known for their flashy, high-stepping action and elegance. They make good harness ponies because of their strength and graceful movements.
The Hackney ponies were developed in England for light farm work and transportation but are now mainly used in driving competitions.
Cob ponies
Cobs are medium-sized ponies with a stocky build. Cob ponies are strong and durable and make excellent harness ponies for driving and pulling vehicles safely.
The cob pony breed developed in Britain, used as working animals on farms, and pulling carts and plows.
Fell ponies
Fell ponies are larger than most harness pony breeds but still smaller than horses. The fell ponies are sturdy and have great stamina and strength for driving and light agricultural work.
Fells originated in the Lake District of England and was bred to carry wool and quarry products.
Exmoor ponies
Exmoor ponies are hardy and tough, with a strong work ethic. They are small but possess significant pulling power for carts and light farm machinery.
Exmoors developed on the moors of Devon and Cornwall were used to pull heavy nets and work in tough rural conditions.
American miniature ponies
A miniature horse is under 14.2 hands high (58 inches) and averages 34 inches high at the withers. Miniature horses have a gentle, even-tempered nature, making them easier to train and handle.
Miniatures also developed for carrying light loads in mines and as pets in the 19th century. The horses are now mostly companions, but some still work in harness.
The harness pony is a fantastic breed. When choosing one, buyers should consider the following:
Temperament
The harness pony has a very nice temperament; thus, they are good for beginners and children. They have a gentle and friendly nature, making them easy to handle. They have calmness and patience, driving without getting easily spooked or reckless.
Buyers should look for a good nature. Avoid anything too young or wild. Gentle is nice for beginners.
Size
Most harness ponies are under 14 hands high (56 inches) tall at the shoulder. They are smaller than horses but big enough to pull a cart or work in harness effectively. The size makes them easy to control and transport. The buyers who have limited space or need a lighter animal for small jobs harness smaller ponies.
Health and conformation
Buyers should get healthy ponies. They should have a solid body, good feet, and no signs of sickness. Buyer should ask for the vet's health check record. Avoid any with obvious sickness or breathing issues. Only harness ponies with strong bones and good joints should be preferred. They can develop lameness or not pull well if poorly constructed.
Driving experience
Buyers should get a harness pony that is well trained in driving or working in harness. They should be accustomed to pulling a cart or plow and know basic commands. This will help the buyer have an easy time driving the pony, as it will not misbehave. Beginner-friendly ponies are nicer since they are easy to train.
Clean the hoofs
Clean the hoofs daily and check for cracks, bruises, or footrot. Check for rocks and dirt in the hoofs. Horseshoe the harness pony every month, so the hoofs don't get too worn or chipped.
Groom the harness pony
Groom the harness pony regularly using a curry comb and body brush to relax the hair and remove dirt and dust. Use a mane comb to groom the mane and tail to avoid dreadlocks. Wash the harness pony often with warm, soapy water if it gets too dirty or sweaty. The buyer should talk to their veterinarian about any special grooming needs for their breed.
Secure the harness nice and firm
The harness should fit snugly but not too tightly. Adjust all straps to fit the pony's body nicely without rubbing or pinching. None of the harness parts should move around when secured, but nothing should be too tight to restrict pony movement. Ensure the harness pony is comfortable with the new harness before driving long distances.
Keep the harness in good shape
Check the harness for signs of chewing, cracking, or breaking. Look carefully at all straps, buckles, and attachments to ensure they are secure. Repair or replace any damaged harness parts before using them, so nothing fails while driving. Clean the harness often with leather or metal cleaner to maintain it.
The harness pony is a small, sturdy pony bred for driving and light farm work. Some benefits include:
Small but strong
Harness ponies are compact in size, usually under 14 hands high, but very strong for their size. They were bred for pulling carts, plows, and other light machinery, so they have a strong work ethic. Their muscle and stamina enable them to work long hours without tiring easily. The buyer should note that their smaller size makes them easier to handle than larger horses.
Docile temperament
Harness ponies are generally calm, friendly, and easy-going in nature. They were bred to work closely with humans, so they are usually patient and willing to learn. Their good nature makes them suitable for children and beginners in driving or small farm tasks. This makes driving or training for pulling or light work easy for the buyer.
Versatile uses
Buyers can use harness ponies for various practical farm work and recreational activities. They are still used on small farms for driving carts, plowing fields, and doing light haulage. In modern times, they are also popular for shows, exhibitions, and leisure activities like pony drives or riding in a cart. Their small size makes them suitable for urban as well as rural areas. Some even become therapy animals because of their gentle temperament.
Easy to care for
Harness ponies are generally hardy animals with relatively low maintenance needs. Being smaller than horses, they require less food, smaller living spaces, and lower veterinary care costs. They can often thrive on simple diets of hay and pasture. Their tough hooves and dense coats make them suitable for all weather conditions and outdoor work. This makes them ideal farm and urban characters.
Great companions
Harness ponies are known for their friendly and sociable nature, making them excellent companions for people of all ages. Their small size and calm demeanor make them ideal for children to interact with safely. Many harness ponies develop strong bonds with their owners and are well-loved part of the family. They are also easy to handle and transport, which adds to their appeal as companion animals.
Some questions people breakdown include:
A1: A harness pony is smaller than a horse and is bred to help with some of the work. While horses have been bred for riding, some horse work, and horse races, the harness ponies are bred to drive carts and work on small farms.
A2: Some harness ponies are still used to do light work on small farms. Many harness ponies today are used for driving, which means pulling a cart, which is a small buggy the farmer uses to transport goods or people. Some harness ponies are mainly kept as pets for their fun, friendly nature and small size.
A3: A harness pony is a good animal for children to learn how to care for and be around. They are small enough for kids to handle safely and friendly without doing silly or dangerous stuff. Still, an adult should closely supervise and guide all kids with harness ponies so the animals are trained well and treated right.
A4: The buyer should give the harness pony hay, grass, and special pony grain without too much sugar. They also need clean water and salt. The harness ponies don't need as much food as a big horse because they are small. The food helps keep them healthy and strong to do their work.
A5: The vet should check harness ponies regularly to make sure they are healthy and working okay. The owner can check them daily by looking at their body, coat, and poop and making sure their teeth and feet are healthy. If the harness pony looks sick or strange, the owner should call the vet for help right away.
