Driving newbie has a question about my cart

[shorthorsemom]

Newbie driver asking question again. My mini meadowbrook (which came with my 32 inch driving mini boy) has the single tree mounted underneath rather than on top part of the cart. Forgive the newbie terminology please....

All I can figure is that it was mounted that way so that the traces go straight back rather than go slightly upward. Since there are no keepers to slide the end of the traces into like if the singletree was on top, what should I do? Should I put on some little dog collars? Or, is it totally incorrect to have the single tree underneath on the meadowbrook. It looks like it was mounted upside down, but since this boy has driven quite a while in this cart, I can only assume it was done this way on purpose. I am getting lessons from a trainer and it did make her scratch her head as to why this would have been done. Anybody out there see this done before? What do you do with the trace ends?

 

[RhineStone]

Yes, the singletree was undermounted to keep the line of draft more level and the pull more even, thus easier. We "recess" our singletrees for the same reason. Most minis could probably stand to have their carts built the same way. No, it is not incorrect, and judges are getting that.

The "dog collars" you refer to are not necessarily to hold the ends of the traces, but they are a safety device in case one trace comes off. That way, the singletree will not swing and hit the horse in the butt, therefore losing the other trace as well. It might give you some time to correct the matter before something really bad happens. Depending on the build of the cart, they may or may not be necessary. Sometimes the singletree would hit a part of the cart before it would swing that far. But they also might save the finish of your cart, like in the photo above. The straps will catch before it hits the dash.

It really won't matter where you put the ends of the traces. In the big scheme of things, some carts are made more for buckle-in traces, where the adjustment for the trace is at the shoulder of the horse, and the traces are separate from the breastcollar. This eliminates those ends "hanging out" past the singletree.

Myrna

 

[shorthorsemom]

My traces do buckle onto the collar too, but we are on the second hole (I think) when attaching the trace end "button hole style" onto the single tree. My single tree looks just like your photo in style, but is mounted on the underside of the wood upside down for lack of a better term. The two dog collar type loops that are attached and holding your singletree, on my cart are on the wood on the top part of my cart and are no where near the single tree so they serve no purpose on my meadowbrook. They just stick up in the air empty.

I just checked and my single tree will actually spin 360 all the way around and can come into the foot compartment of the meadowbrook. Probably what made my trainer uncomfortable. Sounds dangerous from what I read in your posting.. I thought those loops held the trace ends, I didn't realise they were there to keep the singletree from swinging and hitting the horse. Any ideas of a decent safe way for me to make mine safe? I have much to learn... thanks for posting a photo, helps me get a visual so I could post back. This is my first cart, it came with my boy.

 

[RhineStone]

Just move the singletree straps to be around the singletree. Someone moved the singletree and didn't move the straps with it. You could take it apart and mount the cross bar underneath and put the singletree on top like mine. Either is acceptable, though. You set up is way better than the singletree and cross bar on top of the shafts. That is fine for a big cart, but in a mini one where inches and half inches matter, lowering the singletree is the better way to go.

Myrna

 

[hobbyhorse23]

Not only is that an acceptable thing, it's actually one a lot of us wish we could do to our carts! I HATE having the singletree way up above the shafts as it is on my show cart and easy entry. I agree with Myrna, just move the current loops to be around the singletree or remove them and buy a couple of dog collars to secure it with so it can't whack your shin or the horse's rump if a trace slips off.

The way you have it is not only much neater-looking but far better ergonomically for the horse. If you are concerned about the trace ends you can use a small bungee cord to secure them behind the singletree.

Leia

 

[shorthorsemom]

Thanks everybody! I really appreciate the advice and suggestions!

I have much to learn.