Hey! How about a donkey cart any ideas?

[kkm]

We have a donkey + 10 acres + 5 yr old. We need a cart!!

Dont you think? Has anyone trained their donkey to a cart?
When is it OK to start? How heavy can it pull? (We have a 10 year old too

.) Any plans for building a cart out there? Let me know. And send more pitures everyone!!!

 

[reallemons1]

I have no experience with a donkey, but am keeping my eyes open for the right one. I do have 2 ponies that we drive and a third ready to work on as soon as it gets a little cooler. Driving is fun. Ponies are surprisingly strong. My 32" pony, Romeo, pulled me for 6 miles on firm ground at a good trot a few times with no problem, and I'm not light. He loves to move out, don't like to go slow. My other pony, Moondoggie, a 40" grey likes a slower, steady pace. Here he is with me and my granddaughter.

They can be started young, even before they are 2 years old, so yours is ready. Start with driving while walking behind. Add the cart only after the donkey or pony understands everything from the ground and feels comfortable with the sounds of the cart when you pull it beside him. As far as the cart, I shopped the internet for one and the other came with the pony. Get a good book or have someone show you how to fit the harness, it is really important that it is adjusted properly. You will have a great time.!

 

[Haviris]

I have considered training my donkey to pull a cart, not sure I will ever get around to it. I do have a driving mini, and plan to train two of the others, I also started training my paint to drive this year. I'd imagine it would be very similar, you can start training him now, getting him use to the feel of the harness and having things drug behind him (and around him), also teaching him to ground drive. I wouldn't hook him to a cart til he was atleast two, and probably wouldn't put any weight in the cart til he's around 2 1/2.

I would suggest an easy entry cart, you can do a search and probably find some, or I've even seen them on ebay! Good luck, and share pics of your progress!

 

[kkm]

Thanks reallemons1, I love the picture

That cart is amazing. It reminds me of a pull behind a bike trailer. I was just thinking of a wooden cart! About how much $ would I be looking at for the harness and the rigging and then the cart?? Would I have to put the stuff on him a little at a time to let him get used to each thing or just put it all on him at once? Do you use comands (haw & gee?) or just turn him like a horse? Sorry to pester but I have a lot of questions

Again, love the cart!

 

[Their Other Mother]

Has anyone ever tried to teach an old horse new tricks? I have 2 geldings, a quarter horse and a paint, 8 & 9 years old. Could they be taught to pull fairly easy? They are both pretty gentle, I shoot off of them and have done other crazy things like pick up lawn furniture and move it around the yard from the saddle.

 

[kkm]

Dont get me wrong, I don't claim to know anything

But I would think if you could shoot and clatter lawn furniture right next to him, He could do ANYTHING!

 

[Their Other Mother]

Quote:
You would think but then you walk up with your shoe laces untied and they act like a slew of snakes just slithered by.

 

[reallemons1]

Thanks. That is an easy entry cart. New they sell for about $500 to $600, wooden carts are more expensive and more up-keep. It is a good basic beginners cart. Harness start at $150-$200. They come in nylon and leather. Show quality is much more expensive. I start them with just the bridle and surcingle (girth). When they carry that well add the breast collar and breeching (rear end stuff). Just tie the straps together that would normally tie up to the cart. I teach them to turn and stop (as in don't move your feet at all) by the bit on the ground, and the all important word, whoa. They need to know the whoa command by the bit and verbal. Do be sure he is comfortable with the cart before attaching it. If he is afraid with it attached it is like the enemy is right on his heels and he will run faster to excape it.
The Other Mother, no reason older horses can't be trained for cart.

 

[Haviris]

8 and 9 isn't that old at all! One horse I've been working w/ lately is 8 and she has spend all her life in a pasture w/ no real training at all. So far she's taking to it fine (just the harness so far, haven't shown her the cart yet). I think any horse can be taught, some will just be better at it then others.