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Post by Deleted on Apr 22, 2021 10:15:38 GMT
Don't forget magic beans for forage while you are spelunking. Remember Bill.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Apr 22, 2021 10:53:34 GMT
A Shetland would work for a cargo carrier. You couldn't ride it with all your junk at the same time. And if it's the only horse you have, its a mile up the road better than carrying stuff on your own back.
So the pony can carry bulky things like the tent and assorted boxes of supplies, while you carry your clothing, 2 days worth of food, and weapons.
That makes around 180 to 200 lbs of cargo. Fair enough.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Apr 22, 2021 18:17:01 GMT
I hope he makes it back to the shire okay once you have to go through the mines.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Apr 22, 2021 18:33:18 GMT
Yeah, about that. I don't see bringing the horses into the mines or caves. They are small enough, but not agile enough. You would have to spend a huge amount of your time and effort trying to get them over obstacles. Lots of places like that require climbing vertical surfaces or crossing gaps. I can see bringing them into the mouth of the cave as far as practical for safekeeping, but not on the adventure itself.
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Post by wlewisiii on Apr 22, 2021 18:34:59 GMT
One of the meanest animals I ever dealt with was a Shetland. Get a quarter horse or a morgan instead. Yes both are full size and will take more care and food. However both will carry more and can be used to ride if need be as well as being animals that are far easier to bond with. The possibility of following you into a cave is a minor benefit when considering the rest of the package.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Apr 22, 2021 19:49:05 GMT
One of the meanest animals I ever dealt with was a Shetland. Get a quarter horse or a morgan instead. Yes both are full size and will take more care and food. However both will carry more and can be used to ride if need be as well as being animals that are far easier to bond with. The possibility of following you into a cave is a minor benefit when considering the rest of the package. Or just go with the tried and true donkey. Same cargo capabilities as the Shetland, but without the attitude. But this thread is about the pony, not a discussion of the best beast of burden.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Apr 22, 2021 19:53:06 GMT
I don't see bringing the horses into the mines or caves. They are small enough, but not agile enough. Nobody would, it was just a reference to Bill the Pony from LOTR and how Samwise had to turn him loose as soon as they got to Moria because no, a pony won't do caves.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Apr 22, 2021 22:09:23 GMT
Yeah, but those were active working mines. Are we not talking about orc mines with traps and such or other abandoned places?
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Post by treeslicer on Apr 22, 2021 22:10:27 GMT
Or just go with the tried and true donkey. Same cargo capabilities as the Shetland, but without the attitude. But this thread is about the pony, not a discussion of the best beast of burden. No , please, feel free to explain your cases for the best beast of burden for adventures! I would love to see your guys perspectives. Camels. Once loaded, they'll carry 500 kilos up to 20 miles a day. Of course, you have to load them first..... www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3604619/Camel-bites-owner-s-HEAD-left-tied-sweltering-heat-day.html She-camels are more docile than the males, and make the best riding animals.
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Post by L Driggers (fallen) on Apr 23, 2021 0:25:23 GMT
These are miniature horses not Shetlands.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2021 0:26:02 GMT
I prefer a truck, assuming you have the gasoline and money for gasoline. I rode a horse once, for 4 hours straight, and hated it.
Not trashing the thread, as it's a great discussion. I've learned a lot already. Just expressing my dismay of beasts of burden. Worked with bulls my whole life too
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Zen_Hydra
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Post by Zen_Hydra on Apr 23, 2021 0:53:16 GMT
Mules are better.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Apr 23, 2021 0:55:29 GMT
I think we should keep the conversation to animals, otherwise lets just cut to the chase and use this:
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Post by treeslicer on Apr 23, 2021 2:48:34 GMT
I think we should keep the conversation to animals, otherwise lets just cut to the chase and use this: Nah, these are much more fun, and you can fire stuff out the ramp at things.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Apr 23, 2021 3:23:29 GMT
These are miniature horses not Shetlands. From the wiki page: "Shetlands were a breed commonly used because of their small size, but Welsh, Russian, Devonshire (Dartmoor) and Cornish ponies also saw extensive use in England."
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Post by RufusScorpius on Apr 23, 2021 12:13:40 GMT
I agree. There's a very good reason that armies around the world used mules almost exclusively before the age of motorization, and the US Army used them into the 1950's. Even today, SF units use mules in remote areas because roads really don't exist in some mountainous areas of the world. That would be my first choice. If you need a pack animal for small areas, then I say a donkey is the best bet. It can carry about 120lb of junk and can eat weeds and scrub. It can easily pull a small cart as well. Donkeys are in common use in many areas around the world today so they are readily available. I think it depends on what you can get your hands on and where you are expecting to go as to whether you would take a mule or a donkey.
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Post by Adventurer'sBlade on Apr 23, 2021 13:37:33 GMT
There are folks who take mules and such as pack animals on the Pacific Crest Trail and other mountainous parts. I've passed some. I prefer my own company to that of a mule but it's practical.
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Post by RufusScorpius on Apr 23, 2021 14:25:09 GMT
Using a pack animal or not will depend on the journey. If you aren't going far and won't be away long, then you can reasonably carry your own stuff. But if going into the unknown or a journey of many weeks or months, then a pack animal could be a life or death asset.
Look at you gear load out and then make a smart decision.
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Post by Murffy on Apr 23, 2021 17:32:24 GMT
I agree. There's a very good reason that armies around the world used mules almost exclusively before the age of motorization, and the US Army used them into the 1950's. Even today, SF units use mules in remote areas because roads really don't exist in some mountainous areas of the world. That would be my first choice. If you need a pack animal for small areas, then I say a donkey is the best bet. It can carry about 120lb of junk and can eat weeds and scrub. It can easily pull a small cart as well. Donkeys are in common use in many areas around the world today so they are readily available. I think it depends on what you can get your hands on and where you are expecting to go as to whether you would take a mule or a donkey. Agreed. A burro would be my choice - friendly, agile and low maintenance. I remember seeing them all over the place when I was in Egypt. Thinking about it takes me back to one of my favorite books as a kid: "Brighty of the Grand Canyon" by Marguerite Henry, where Brighty, a semi-wild burro, helps an old miner, deals with a villain and meets Teddy Roosevelt.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 23, 2021 18:22:29 GMT
What about one of these? You won't need to feed it or worry about spooking it
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