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[RC] [RC] removing manure from paddocks serious business! - Julie Fuller

For hauling kids, I suggest a small stoneboat. Easy to make, and much more stable. (And works great for it's intended purpose too... hauling rocks) When my kids were very small, they used to ride on the stoneboat with me when I drove the team. My stoneboat was too heavy for a single small pony. They had a ball! And later, I hitched a Percheron to it, and flew around the field! I called it "pasture surfing" I stood on the stoneboat, and it was a bit hard to keep my balance when Prince galloped over the bumpy ground! My friend couldn't do it standing... she kneeled. *grin* She was one of those long legged types... I'm short. It has it's advantages!

A stoneboat (which most people have never heard of) Is basically a wooden sled. Use 2x6s for runners, and if you've got an 11 hand tall pony (give or take) make it about 3 feet wide and 5 feet long. If you use 3/4 plywood, it'll be strong and light enough. (Put a couple braces underneath, and screw the whole thing together with good stainless steel screws) Be sure to work your pony up to pulling dead weight... it's HARD work. I started out with just my stoneboat... I walked along side. Later, I'd get on for longer and longer.... eventually able to stay on it the whole time.

My stoneboat is made out of roughcut 2x6's, all lagbolted together. It's about 4x6 feet. It's got cross memers between the runners, with the deck on top of that. It's 16 years old, and still solid. If you plan on making one to keep for a very long time, find someone handy with metal, and put steel on the bottom of the runners. Or, store it tipped up, so the runners don't rot.

I hope you do try all this. It's a lot of fun, and good for the pony. *grin* Ponies are awesome!

Julie


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