Effects of swapping sides on a team?

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  • February 1, 2010 at 2:28 am #41375
    Joshua Kingsley
    Participant

    As many of you know I have been working with a pair of Shetland ponies and I was recently watching them while in the pasture and stall. They are constantly in the opposite position then when I harness them.
    My question is what is often the effect of swapping the horses around on a new team?
    My other teams of Drafts have always been able to hitch either way, though most of the horses I had bought in and then worked single for a while before finding out where they were comfortable in a hitch. The major difference is that these two ponies were abused at one point and one is blind on one side. They have also been worked some single and then paired up. I have tried at one other point to swap them and they seemed to act up more but now I am now wondering if I did the right thing. I have found that Ponies tend to have more “personality” than the big drafts and are more sensitive.
    Any input would be appreciated. Thanks Joshua

    February 1, 2010 at 8:33 am #57537
    jac
    Participant

    Hi Joshua
    We have Clydes and any time I start a new member of the team I try them in both sides and run them in the position they are settled in. My two geldings are in a set position when hitched, in the padock and even the truck.!! if I try loading them out of their driving position the sides of the truck get kicked.!Pair of prima donna’s:)..My mare and her 4yr old filly now thats a different thing … they dont give a rats butt how they get hitched.. Its interesting you mention one is blind on one side.. Is he perhaps more comfortable with his good eye on the outside or inside?. I hope never to have to buy in new team members again as we have the two mares and will breed all we need. That way we can condition the foals from birth. I put that conditioning down to the differance between the geldings and the mares..The mare was bought as a foal.. Geldings were both bought in. It has been said to me that I should swap them over regularly so they dont get hard in the mouth but I try and drive on a gentle line anyway so I dont think my horses will get that way..I think its great you using Shetlands for work. To many are used as ornaments and end up fat. I believe they are stronger than the drafters pound for pound of body weight.. or is that a myth put about by Shetland owners ? good luck anyway.
    John

    February 1, 2010 at 4:58 pm #57531
    Joshua Kingsley
    Participant

    Jac,
    The grey seems to be happier when his blind side is out so I am guessing that he is dependant on the other stud for guidence?

    I think that if they were properly conditioned they could be real good workers. I have talked to a guy in New York who puls some mini- shetlands and they have pulled 3000# more than 12 feet. They were about 38″tall and weigh about 375 each possibly? so that means that they were able to pull a fair bit of weight.

    I would like to find a small plow and try them in the garden along with the woods for thinning and other small work. They have the potential to do all the same things as a big pair just need to find equipment that is scaled for them.
    Joshua

    February 1, 2010 at 6:36 pm #57538
    jac
    Participant

    Jeeeez.. thats a fair weight.. I know in their native island they were used for all sorts of work ..plowing included. It would be great to see a team with a small plow and cultivator. best of luck with them
    John

    February 2, 2010 at 5:14 pm #57535
    LostFarmer
    Participant

    A pony will out pull a horse or mule pound for pound any day of the week. I have a pony team that are 44″ and 500 lbs with their harness on. They have pulled 3000 a full 20 foot pull. At least that is what we use as a full pull. The problem we have is tractioning out before they power out. I suppose I could put some little pulling caulks on them but we just pull to play. Here is a picture of them giving it heck. KataMarch52009187.jpg
    I don’t remember the load but I would guess from the way they are pulling it is about 2250 or so.

    As to the changing sides, I have moved these back and forth. The one horse is fine either side but the other has a better side. It is a 3 way team and you each have to be comfortable to make it work. If 2 don’t care and one does you can punish him and put him where you want him or work him where he wants to work. Good luck, LF

    February 2, 2010 at 6:26 pm #57539
    jac
    Participant

    Hey LostFarmer.. Thats a great foto of your team.. You have no idea the stir your reply caused in this house.. My wife Andrea breeds Welsh mountain ponies and has been walking around with a smug look ever since:) but even so I think I’ll stick with the big guys a while yet… We dont have any pulling contests over here.. think the do gooder brigade would stop it as usual
    John

    February 2, 2010 at 6:44 pm #57532
    Joshua Kingsley
    Participant

    Thanks for the information, I will give him a try with his blind side out and see what happens. I am hoping that they will be calmer and I will be able to start to get some more work done with them. Some time along I should be able to work them steady for a while and see what they are able to do barring any more unforseen issues.
    Joshua

    February 11, 2010 at 10:06 pm #57534
    TBigLug
    Participant

    I know I’m coming into this late but I wanted to add my experience.

    For our horses (all things being equal) we switch sides, positions, partners, harness, anything we can to give them the most experience everywhere we can. It has produced some well rounded horses that we know we can do anything with.

    Given the one has a blind eye, if it were me I would put the good eye out so that they could see any obstacles on the unprotected side since the blind side would be guided by the other horse. You may be right in that he/she may be dependant on the other horse for guidance. I would try them both ways just for grins. Good luck no matter what you do!

    February 12, 2010 at 3:34 am #57536
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    I don’t think it was mentioned which side his good eye is on when they are out on pasture, but I would bet his good eye is on his buddy so he can keep an “eye” on him.

    February 15, 2010 at 3:15 am #57533
    Joshua Kingsley
    Participant

    @Dave G 15561 wrote:

    I don’t think it was mentioned which side his good eye is on when they are out on pasture, but I would bet his good eye is on his buddy so he can keep an “eye” on him.

    Your spot on with that one. He prefers to be with his good eye in to the other pony. I have tried to have him with is good eye out and he keeps trying to turn in to see where the other pony is. I will try hooking him with his good eye in as soon as I get a chance I have been a bit busy as of late with a very sick little boy.
    Joshua

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