I’m looking to buy a new Gig Style Harness for my 14.3h mare. Black with chrom or silver. She wears a cob size.
Any thoughts? I’d MUCH prefer quality over price!
Thanks!
If price is no object, the most beautiful harness I’ve seen in Freedman’s. I’ve never owned one but it sure was pretty to look at and a joy to handle.
I’ve traded up my harnesses over the years and finally was able to purchase a used Freedman gig harness. It is worth every penny. The leather is high quality along with the construction. Mine is about 15 years old and came with some extra piece to size from 14.2 to 15.3. I show in a varnished gig and really needed the extra wide saddle and sliding back band to make sure my horses were comfortable. Photo’s just don’t do justice to the quality of a Freedman Harness.
Other options:
Hunts Gig Harness
Smuckers Gig Harness
D.E. Exclusive Gig Harness
Good luck.
Okay- I’ve been on Freedman’s website and there are no prices.
So OUT with it - how much did these harnesses cost you?!?!
As I said, I’ve never owned one, just been fortunate to look and handle one. Top quality but I can’t even guess at a price. I’m sure in the thousands.
I have a Hunt russet gig harness and 6 years ago when I was looking at both Freedman and Greg’s, they were comparable prices…about $3200. I know Greg is about the same now because I called a few months ago to see what mine might be worth used. I bought Hunt’s over Freedman because it is USA made and Freedman’s (at that time, anyway) was out of
Canada. They were very comparable quality wise.
Sam has a Hunt’s Premier. It is about $3000 to $3500 if I’m remembering correctly. The harness is beautiful, butter soft leather, premium stainless hardware, a real pleasure to work with. I would recommend the harness to anyone.
Don
Where does one find a Hunts harness?
Driving Essentials?
The one leather harness I own is a Driving Essential’s Plus. It is absolutely gorgeous and I only use it when Zanzer is in the road cart. It ran around 1100s new. They are absolutely beautiful and the DE folks will work with you. Great folks and customer care. Even will trade parts if you need something different–I needed a long girth than what came with it.
[QUOTE=joharavhf;3038272]
Where does one find a Hunts harness?[/QUOTE]
Can you google? :winkgrin:
Ditto the plug for Driving Essentials. They’re great to work with. I’ve bought bits and spares kits and numerous other things from them over the years and am currently helping a friend purchase their top-of-the-line ‘Exclusive Harness’ for her competition plans. It’s such fun spending other people’s money. :winkgrin: http://www.drivingessentials.com/index.htm
Last I checked Freedman Gig 5,000 -8,000 depending on the model.
I scooped mine up for 2,500 and ran for the hills. 
D.E. Essential Gig harness is very good and made in America. It is listed on page 10 of the 07/08 catalog.
Great people and they custom order harness to fit your horse. I’ve sold several last year for clients along with a variety of other equipment and appointments. I come from a customer service background and was very impressed with the service, professionalism, and products that I took on a dealership and haven’t looked back. All my customers are very pleased and enjoying the sport. They also carry Smuckers and Freedman too.
Good luck,
D
[QUOTE=RidesAHaflinger;3038726]
Ditto the plug for Driving Essentials. They’re great to work with. I’ve bought bits and spares kits and numerous other things from them over the years and am currently helping a friend purchase their top-of-the-line ‘Exclusive Harness’ for her competition plans. It’s such fun spending other people’s money. :winkgrin: http://www.drivingessentials.com/index.htm[/QUOTE]
Great Minds think alike, huh? 
Hackney Horse Driver’s pricing on the Freedman sounds about right–I’ve heard an average of $6K.
We have a very nice friend who allowed us to borrow her Freedman gig harness last year–what can I say–it is lovely. We also tried a Hunt’s gig harness to buy, and it was very nice, just didn’t look quite right (it was custom made for another pony and was a little too “heavy” looking on our guy).
Smuckers Harness Shop is local for us and our other pony had their Super Deluxe harness, which was very nice. We were always happy with the quality and it looked as nice as anything else out there. We priced out gig harness from Smuckers and it ran about $2400 without collar/hames/tugs.
Here is a pic of Merlin with the Freedman gig harness–however, the collar/traces/etc are Smuckers (we wanted to get him his own collar). The collar/hames/tugs cost about $500.
http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2558941670055731734UnhQai
Hope that helps!
