Types of Pony Carts

Ponies should be driven in front of carts that are built to accommodate these animals' small stature. Because ponies can range in size from 10 hands up to 14.2 hands high, each cart should be built to accommodate the size of specific pony that will pull it. Care also should be taken to ensure that the weight of the cart and cargo is no more than these small equines are capable of pulling.

  1. Sulky

    • A sulky is well suited to a pony because it is meant for racing and exercising equines and is lightweight. When made with smaller tires and a smaller frame than the horse-sized version, a sulky can be easily pulled by a small pony. A sulky has a single axle and seats one person. This type of cart may or may not have brakes.

    Marathon

    • Although a marathon cart is a style of carriage often used in competitive driving, it can also function as a versatile, every day pony cart. This two-axle cart can be made for one, two or four ponies and to carry up to two passengers and two grooms. Because ponies vary in size, and are typically rated as smalls, mediums or larges, a marathon cart should be sized and weighted differently for each size of pony.

    Wagon

    • Pony-size wagons are built to look the same as a horse-sized wagon, but proportionately smaller to match the size of the ponies pulling it. Pony wagons are two-axle carts with a box area for storage or bench seating and a raised driver's seat in front. A pony-size wagon is usually pulled with two or more ponies. It may be as short as 50 inches for smaller ponies or up to 80 inches tall, depending on the design and manufacturer.

    Sleigh

    • A sleigh is a cart that is used in the winter months. It has runners or blades, rather than wheels, allowing it to glide smoothly through snow. Pony-drawn sleighs, in comparison to horse-drawn sleighs, are typically narrower and shorter. Because the frame has to be lower to the ground to hitch to the shorter animal, the seating area will allow the sleigh less clearance in deep snow.