Sleigh Bells Ring

[JackieandOllie]

Talking about sleighs—
I have some old bells that I want to have made into something for my haflinger for this winter. I have been driving for almost two years, so still new. I picked up a sleigh and can’t wait to use it this winter, not that I want the summer to end yet. LOL

So, The question is- what type of bells does one usually use, neck strap, body, rump? Also, where would one send their bells to be restored? Any pics would be great!

It was fun to read about the unearthed sleighs.

Fondly, Jackie and Ollie

[goodhors]

I am presuming this is a string of bells, not a set that fastened to the harness? There are SO MANY kinds of bells, locations to put them on sleigh, horse or other vehicles, that much guessing will dig me into a hole!!

The leather strings of bells can usually be re-leathered by a local harness maker. Bells usually are round and have a tab with a hole, cast on them. Tab is poked thru one leather strap, then a locking device (tiny hairpin clip, cotter pin) goes thru the hole in tab to keep bell on the strap. Strap is usually doubled, covers bell tab ends, so horse isn’t poked with the bell or locking device when wearing the bells.

Strings of bells come in different lengths, so they might only fit around a neck. Other long strings go around the girth area, with a cord attaching leather strap to harness saddle so it can’t slip back into the flank area. Leather strap ALWAYS goes OVER the shafts, so horse can’t crush the bells against the shaft. There are bells that go across the hips, short string of 4 or 6 bells, usually a larger, 1 1/2 or 2 inch bells.

It is really easy to go crazy putting bells on a sleigh horse, and not all horses can make the bells sound “nice” in travel. You have to try your gaits, vary the speed, to find the nicest sound with horse going along. TOO MANY bells just makes a jangle of noise, which is EXTREMELY annoying during travel. We had our “whole collection” on the horse and it was just noise. Stopped horse with her pinned ears, took off several belled items. which made the rest of the drive MUCH more pleasant and horse a LOT happier!

We heard from various neighbors we met around town, how they enjoyed hearing the bells when we got out and drove. Some were at least 2 miles away, but the sound carries well on the rolling ground with snow cover.

Do take TIME to get LED horse used to bells BEFORE strapping them on him. Some horses take a LONG time to be happy in bells, and that is just doing ground work!! Not all driving horses even KNOW about bells, so BE CAREFUL using them until you know how your horse will respond!!

[JackieandOllie]

Sleigh Bells Ring

Thank you so much for your response. I have a string of bells on an old leather strap and several bells on pieces of old leather. I believe they have to be taken off, cleaned and put back on new leather. I am just overwhelmed with the different types of straps, as you said rump, neck, body and don’t know what type would be best.
Has anyone used classic bells company?
I am starting to jingle my bells near my Ollie, he does not seemed fazed by them. I will ground drive him with them next and see how he does.
Thanks again for your response.

[goodhors]

You may not want to polish up old bells, it takes off the patina of age, may reduce value to collectors. Dull or shiny, doesn’t affect the sound of them!

I don’t know the Classic Bells Company. No help for you there.

Glad to hear he doesn’t mind. I hear if they are eating, bell ringing bothers them the LEAST of all! Ha ha

[pony_grandma]

I got on a sleigh bell kick awhile back --

The casting, size and the throat cuts make a big difference in the sound. What size, kind of bell do you have? the rump bells are large and they have a clunk sound vs the ring ring ring Santa bell sound. Are yours cast brass with a single cut slot? or cross cut? what kind of neck is on them? a tab for pinning to a strap or are they riveted to a strap? How many bells are you looking to restrap?

Classic does advertise that they try to match the original strap design. Or you can make what you’d prefer to use - a neck strap or a body strap. and that can depend as Goodhors said on how your horse travels.

here’s how I embarrass my children every winter!

http://s272.photobucket.com/user/JMAM_photos/media/100_0875.jpg.html?sort=6&o=187

[goodhors]

Cute photo Mrs. Claus!

[Marla_100]

Yes, Pony Grandma- great photo, and love your baby Ava. I sneaked a look at the other pics.