Key points for checking used harness

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

I may have a chance to get some used harness for Panda Pony - a friend (really cool older gentleman who drives a Haffie and helped with one of our class sessions) of the guy who did the driving clinic has a bunch of small harness parts. Clinic Guy, who has met Panda, thinks it will fit him. He’s going to clean it up, check it out, and probably next week I’ll go see it <hopefully, with Panda in tow - we’ll see if he’ll get on the bus>.

Clearly, the condition of the leather is crucial.

And all the parts should be there, and none of the hardware should look wonky.

What else? Are there any areas where fit is more crucial than others? (This is breastcollar harness, not hames & collar.)

[Chewbacca]

On my 2 leather, (yes, low end, “ebay special”) harnesses, the neck strap (which is only a single strap) for the breast collar, tends to wear at the hole that gets the most use. So I would suggest looking for cracking on the neck strap, and loose stitching on the saddle to to the padding and around the tug loops.

[buck22]

Thoroughly examine the front and back of each item of leather looking for any significant cracking. My marathon harness was used hard and put up wet before it came to me and the padding on the breast collar is cracked but its still structurally sound.

Check all of the buckles to be sure they are stitched in securely and that they function (tongues aren’t rusted shut, etc). Also look for buckle tongues that might be excessively bent.

Check the adjustment holes to make sure they aren’t cracked or the holes too stretched out. You do not want to use a hole that is damaged.

Fit is important, and its basically common sense. The saddle may or may not have a tree, people have mixed feelings on trees, I’m pro tree but I also have a special needs horse. What is important in any saddle is that his has some gap for the spine. You really don’t want to have the saddle sit directly on the spine.

Check the bridle too, thats a big one that can be tricky to fit.

Little things like tug style and trace style are not critical and can be changed and adjusted when you find a vehicle.

This site is pretty good for the names of harness parts:
http://www.discover-horse-carriage-driving.com/harness-parts.html

and how to fit a harness:
http://www.discover-horse-carriage-driving.com/fitting-the-harness.html

http://www.discover-horse-carriage-driving.com/driving-video.html

How exciting for you both, good luck!

[gothedistance]

@Risk-Averse Rider;6253129

Are there any areas where fit is more crucial than others? (This is breastcollar harness, not hames & collar.)

The backstrap should be adjustable to the correct length - it carries the breaching strap. The backstrap needs to be the correct length to place the breaching strap right at the peak of the hindquarters so that the strap drops correctly alongside the hindquarters where it attaches to the breaching which needs to sit at or just below the point of the butt (rounding the hindquarters from side to side) so that the pony can hold back the cart without the breaching running up under the tail, or falling down to his hock where it can push against the back legs and possibly knock his back legs out from under him.

Three pieces of leather that need to be carefully placed so that they can do a very important job. Most people don’t give much thought to these three, but they should - they are your braking system.

The traces should be long enough to keep pony from banging into the cart, but not so long that he’s outside the curve of the shafts.

There. That’s two more for your education.

[Risk-Averse_Rider]

Thanks, guys!

During our driving clinic, Clinic Guy was big on the “britchin’” (he’s a cowboy :D). We were told to keep a careful eye on it while going up & down hills, and several times he mentioned the pitfalls of having it too high or too low. He mentioned having seen horses fall/slip from having the breeching too low.

This guy makes the harnesses for his horses, and each “Fat Chick” has her own set.

Of course, he could just be talking a really good game and be full of hot air (not that THAT ever happens in the horse world :no:)… but he has yet to say anything that has made me go, “Hey… wait a minute…”

So we’ll see.

[Drive_NJ]

Breastcollar harness is fine. Better if it has buckle-in traces rather than permanently attached traces. But one piece is OK

A lot of harness is a little light for me. I prefer slightly broader breastcollar and breeching for horse comfort. Think of carrying a shoping bag with the thin cord handles vs wider handles.

Make sure the breastcollar has enough width to distribute weight but is not so wide or can be placed so the top edge is not pressing against the windpipe.

Especially check for wear around bit and rein ends where saliva may cause deterioration.

Make sure saddle has a gullet. Be sure it is padded enough you don’t feel the nuts where the terrets are screwed in.