This message is from: Martie & John Bolinski <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Hi, Martie and Kilar in muggy MD again.
Some time back, I posted about wanting to use Kilar for a little
farm work. Not knowing what type of equipment he could handle by
himself (he is still an only Fjord), I asked about forecarts and types
of equipment I could expect him to handle.
Thanks again to all of you for the suggestions.
We did not act on any of our ideas yet, waiting to go to the Horse
Progress Days in Kinzer PA this weekend to actually see first-hand some
horses (various size hitches, various size horses, mucho various
equipment and harnessing and types of work).
Now I have even more trouble deciding if I can work him.
I had hoped to get a forecart that did not weigh too much and maybe a
manure spreader (which we need anyway) that could be pulled either by
the horse (with the forecart) or by our tractor. The forecarts we saw
today came in 2 categories - 1) light weight, easy maneuverability but
NO BRAKES and 2) heavy weight, not real maneuverable but good brakes.
There does not seem to be a difference in Horse or Pony weight
forecarts. Just BIG (with brakes) or SMALL (no brakes).
As our pastures have some slight hillyness, I am assuming I NEED
brakes? Yes? The hills are not really steep, but fairly long. We
would be pulling either a 25 BU or 35 BU spreader (probably full for the
tractor and not so full for the horse).
Of course, all the sales reps insist that a Fjord can singlehorsedly
pull both the forecart (heavy or light) AND all manner of farm
machinery. But none of these fine folks have small draft horses or have
ever (admittingly) owned/driven these slightly smaller drafties. The
seller of the small brakeless carts insist that the breeching is the
only brake I need. The seller of the large cart insists that the weight
of the heavy (15" car tires on a heavy metal frame) cart plus the 35 BU
spready should be no problem for a 'strong little horse' to pull. Like
a Halflinger. Everyone knows the Halflingers, no-one seemed to know the
Fjords until we mentioned the racing stripe (Oh yeah, the little striped
cream colors horses).
Anyone with any advice on brakes vs no brakes; large vs small
forecarts; 25 BU vs 35 BU spreaders, or ANY advice on what type of
equipment to purchase for a single horse, please get back to me??
Also, if you are on line - THANKS!!!! many times over to the poor
Fjord owners that I hounded during the day with my questions. I thought
I had a card with your names on, but I can't find it. My apologies for
that, but thanks again for all your help in giving me the questions to
ask and some thoughts about the philosophy of working horses.
The first thing we saw when we arrived at the Progress Days was a
pair of beautiful TALL Fjords raking hay. This is especially great for
me, as Kilar was used for raking hay and training the younger horses to
pull/rake before I bought him. Explains his need to follow the trail of
grass clippings with the cart every time John mows the pasture where we
drive.
thanks again,
Martie, John and Kilar - still hoping for rain.
