[bdcasto]

I know this is an old thread but thought someone would enjoy my really small house (actually it’s just a home built slide in truck camper). It is made using 16 foot cattle panels bent to make the hoop and covered with alluminized bubble rap insulation and painters canvas tarps. No leaks to speak of despite use in serious rain. Coleman lantern provides more than enough heat for cold camping although we haven’t used it under 20 degrees F. Lots of fun with the kids for out of the way camping.

By the way, I’ve been lurking on the group for a while and finally will introduce myself as a hobby farmer who’s kids sell eggs and meat to help pay for their horse habit. I really enjoy this discussion group and benefit a lot.

BD Casto
New Carlisle, OH

[bdcasto]

“BD Casto what type of harness do you use?”

Currently I use a well padded breast collar harness very similiar to the one you have on your stallion. This works fine for cart work but is not optimal on ground level implements due to pressure on neck strap. She has never acted sore but I would feel better if I was using a good fitting neck collar for the non-road cart work. Regarding the mine ponies, the actual video footage I’ve seen involved Shetlands (stocky British types) with a very interesting harness made for pulling carts. There is a neat youtube video somewhere out there showing this although the video is very dark but is clearly footage of actual coal mine use of ponies. Nice looking mini by the way.

BD Casto
New Carlisle, OH (but originally from West Virginia coal country)

[bdcasto]

Fogish,
I’d like to encourage you in your mini horse endeavors. I’ve used our “mini” for various jobs around our farm. She is actually 40 inches tall and well built. She’ll pull a small sled with a few bales or bags of chicken feed. She also does well at cleaning up storm damage and tree trimmings type logging (3-8 inch diameter limbs 10 -15 feet long). I’d love to have a pair just like her to put together. Your horses are smaller, but I think they would surprise you at what they can help you do. Good luck.
BD Casto
New Carlisle, OH

[bdcasto]

Cattle panel hoop houses are so versatile. I’ve made a couple, both to be moved with a tractor (I don’t have any trained draft animals as yet). One has a floor that has been used for meat chickens and now calves. The other is floorless and has roosts for our hens. Floors have disadvantages as well as advantages (I generally like floorless designs for portable shelters).

Bryan Casto
New Carlisle, OH

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