Percheron X pony mare

[FlaRocky]

Will you be able to see her hooked and take her for a test drive? I hope so for peace of mind. Sorry to be a picky pain in the a..... But better to find out before you get her home.

Maye

 

[mama24]

I think that $600 for such a great pony is such an amazing deal that I would be wary that they weren't telling you the solid truth. Was $600 their asking price before you talked to them, or was this their price after you came and saw her? Because if this is the price they only told YOU, maybe they haven't had anybody knowledgeable come and look at her and are relieved to have her go to a good home? If that's the case, I wouldn't haggle, and I'd see if they'd throw in her tack for a little more.

 

[mominoz]

Generally a well-trained pony is worth more than a horse! Heck it costs 4-700$ month for a trainer! Course I am used to hunter ponies worth 4-5 figures if well trained. Still a wellmannered, reasonably trained, road safe horse/pony is worth it's weight in gold!!!!!

 

[Lothiriel]

Yeah, it is a really amazing price. It was their asking price that was advertised online (Craigslist).

They told us she could easily pull 1000 pounds... Anyone have an idea just how much that is? Would it be like a wagon with 5 adults?

The folks we are taking "lessons" from (harnessing/hitching/soon driving, et al, all for free because to have young people interested in those things is super rare) pretty much repeated all the sentiments you all have -- seems perfect for our needs, great conformation, etc. and said we should buy her. Right now we are waiting on a vet for a PPE estimate and then we'll set up an appointment.

They did say that $400 for a used beta/biothane harness is a bit much... Their harness maker could make us a brand new leather harness for that price. I don't think we need to talk them down on the price of the pony... Any opinions on the harness? Spend $400 on the used one or $400 on a new leather one?

 

[Lothiriel]

Will you be able to see her hooked and take her for a test drive? I hope so for peace of mind. Sorry to be a picky pain in the a..... But better to find out before you get her home.

Maye

That's something we are planning on asking... On Monday all their equipment was frozen to the ground, so it wasn't possible. However, our friend said earlier that even having her pull a log or a fencepost would suffice -- as long as she will move with the traces tightened and pull it, she should pull a piece of machinery. He also said to have her do that daily if (when.... ) we get her home to keep her in shape and so she doesn't start to forget, and also to give us the extra practice.

 

[amenfarm]

I know you can have leather made for the same price--but how much to make it in bio-thane? I looked it up, $430-625 for Amish made. Usually biothane holds up much better and stays stronger longer, and is far easier to clean. I had a scary accident with a leather strap on a saddle cinch that broke when turning sharply out of a saddle house, before a 4 hour trail ride, no visible stressing to the leather. After that my husband (who was a serious boyfriend at the time), will only use nylon for a saddle cinch knot. Boy was I sore for a while after that fall. Hopefully they should want to trade well on the harness since it is the last pony.
All in all your getting a great price, and after a vet check, and maybe a ride--you should be good to go--I certainly would love to have her from the pictures you have posted,

.

 

[Peaches Lee]

Harness wise, that is really up to you. Leather is a great material, it is strong but will break if under enough stress, say in an emergency accident type situation. Biothane is nice because it is much easier to clean, simply rinse the sweat off with water. Leather needs to be cleaned properly and conditioned afterward or it will break. Cleaning a full leather harness is certainly a most daunting task!