What to look for in a first harness

[CHT]

I am considering buying Dani a basic harness so I can do some of the ground work with her before sending her off to be started in harness. I realize however, that this is completely new territory for me and I really don’t know anybody locally to ask at this point (hoping to start networking once the season starts!).

What should I look for and what should I look out for?

What is the general thought on leather vs synthetic? there is someone who orders in and sells a synthetic harness (“Griamond” biothane) locally for under $700.00. The chest piece and “saddle” are lined with a fuzzy material. It seems to come in a lot of sizes.

The noseband on this one is kind of interesting: only goes over the nose and not under, and there is a piece that looks kind of like a flash, but that also connects to the bit. Is that normal?

On the other hand I saw a leather harness for only $400 on facebook. Seller didn’t know the maker (thinks it was made by someone in Ontario), which does have me a little suspicious, but looks ok in pictures.

[Plainandtall]

That thing that looks like a flash… I’m going to assume that it’s an overcheck that not only does a Y split down the face- but has a supporting strap at bit level.

You probably don’t want that type of harness.

I’m not sure what you mean by being lines with fuzzy material- a lot of people use fleece harness pads under the saddle and collar- but they are just attahed with velcro and are machine washable- is that what you mean? Do you have a link?

Leather vs Synthetic is a matter of choice- cheap vs expensive is pretty much a matter of safety.

There are a lot of good quality good condition used harnesses out there- (I would purchase from the driving world and not from a yard sale) you didn’t specify the budget- but if it’s an issue-- I think you can get a lot more quality for your money with used harness. Harness can be a lot more specific to fit than even a saddle- and they are also made to go with specific vehicles or styles - so some people get a new horse or new carriage- and all their perfectly wonderful tack is not useable for their new turnout. So I think that it’s very common for harnesses of great quality to come up for sale by “no fault of it’s own”

[CHT]

this is the synthetic harness: http://stores.cloverbarcarriages.com/driving-style/

I have been trying to look for a good used harness, but so far only coming up with higher end ones, or pony sizes. I am thinking I need a cob/Arabian size.

I am thinking I would just start out with a simple two wheeled cart of some sort. Something that can fit in our pickup. Of course she may hate being a driving horse, hence why I don’t want to invest a lot in a harness at this point.

[goodhors]

I am going to say the harness in the link is not going to make you happy very long. Big scary thing for me, is connecting the shoulder strap with snaps to the breastcollar strap. Snaps are a bad sign, they break easily. Not shown, but the reins probably have snaps for the bit as well. It looks poorly designed in that it has narrow strapping, just the half noseband on bridle, narrow saddle.

I am with PlainandTall, there are lots of nice used harnesses out there, both leather and synthetic, available for quite a bit less than that one.

There is a great deal in information, if you go back into the older postings, about getting a harness. Much has been shared about how it fits your horse to be suitable, details you want to own on your harness, how to measure for good fit.

[red_mares]

For a little bit LESS money, you could get something like this.. I’ve had one for years, it’s a great work harness & almost indestructible. It has Goodhors’ dreaded snaps, but very few people I know have problems with them failing. The snap on traces are really handy if you are working by yourself. Mine has been on a 17.2 horse & a 14.2 pony. It isn’t show harness, but a good everyday working harness.

If you call them, they can make a breeching to match, they aren’t standard.

[China_Doll]

Just use a surcingle and long lines for ground work. You can add a crupper.
Soft rope to run up and down her legs, under her tail.

[keysfins]

Maybe you have a driving club in your area. It is really a benefit to have a mentor when you start, and a club may also know of a suitable and SAFE harness that you could use. Check with the American Driving Society for clubs in your area.

Or perhaps someone here would know what might be local to you.

[keysfins]

Red Mares, it may be personal preference, but I do not like leather held together by rivets. I would rather have stitching. How has the harness held up for you? Do you drive mostly on the flat?

[CHT]

[QUOTE=keysfins;8101529]
Maybe you have a driving club in your area. It is really a benefit to have a mentor when you start, and a club may also know of a suitable and SAFE harness that you could use. Check with the American Driving Society for clubs in your area.

Or perhaps someone here would know what might be local to you.[/QUOTE]

Yes, at the end of this month there is a big horse trade fair (Mane Event). Hoping we don’t get the usual snow storm that weekend and I can go down and meet the driving clubs and hopefully get an idea for a non-draft horse driving trainer. IF they have harnesses for sale down there, I want to know what is a good price and what are good alternative options.

It seems so far that the people I have talked to started their own pony/horse driving by going to driving clinics. I definitely want more help that that.

From what I am reading, I DON’T want an over-check, but a side-check is ok for low levels (in Canada). I think I want synthetic, but no snaps.

I don’t think I want a treed saddle as she is a PITA to fit (no withers, big shoulders).

The more I read the more I realize I don’t have a clue at what all I don’t know!

[keysfins]

CHT, there is a email list, not sure if you know it. It is called the CD-L, (carriage driving list), and has lots of very knowledgeable people who post. I can sent you the link to subscribe if you aren’t already receiving it.

[CHT]

That would be great if you could send me the link!

[keysfins]

[QUOTE=CHT;8101713]
That would be great if you could send me the link![/QUOTE]

PM sent!

[Drive_NJ]

this is a harness that would last you many happy years

http://www.iowavalleycarriage.com/content/show-style-synthetic-beta-harness

people have been quite happy with the seller too

the CDL is a great place to look for someone selling
or to ask IF someone is selling

Need help? Go here:
http://www.trot-on.com/CDLhelp.html

you have to sign up and it takes maybe a day before you can post
but it can be worth it

good luck finding what you want

[DiamondJubilee]

There are lots of nice harness’s out there. I agree with others and it really depends on what you would like re synthetic or leather. I own several pairs of each and I like both.

I agree with goodhors about the snaps. I’m really not a fan of them either and I must say I’ve never seen any one drive with a harness like that. I like big, thick pieces of harness, not the skinny type of straps as I find you need a lot of padding to make it comfortable for the horse.

One place that I found is good for your $ is Rons Harness. I bought a leather set 8 years ago from this company and its held up really well. I only use it for training at home, but its nice quality and is Canadian. Here is their website: http://www.ronshorseharness.com/product/presidential-single-horse-harness-with-breast-plate/

[red_mares]

[QUOTE=keysfins;8101532]
Red Mares, it may be personal preference, but I do not like leather held together by rivets. I would rather have stitching. How has the harness held up for you? Do you drive mostly on the flat?
:)[/QUOTE]

It’s stitched and riveted. It is designed for breaking horses & daily use. It’s standard equipment in most saddleseat barns. They jog a lot of horses. I used mine in road, ring & field. If there were any obstacles, I would have been comfortable using it, I just didn’t have any available.

It wears like iron. Mine’s been through a wreck, one of the traces broke, that was it. It was 5+ years old when that happened. My mare attempted to drive over fences, not stay on “the flat”.

The nice thing is being able to take off tugs, wrap straps, whatever & having a usable surcingle. I think I got mine by the piece, which made it more affordable for a 20 something owner. Also great for limited tack space in a boarding barn.

[Stonewall]

According to a friend who lives outside of Calgary, there is an active and friendly carriage driving club in Alberta. They have loaner carriages (a Kuhnle, for heavens sakes).

Very much recommend checking in with them.

http://www.albertadriving-acda.ca/

You might also check out this for getting started driving: http://www.candrive.me/

And if you do, I will see you there. Welcome to the great world of driving!

[Jim_R]

[QUOTE=DiamondJubilee;8101949]
There are lots of nice harness’s out there. I agree with others and it really depends on what you would like re synthetic or leather. I own several pairs of each and I like both.

I agree with goodhors about the snaps. I’m really not a fan of them either and I must say I’ve never seen any one drive with a harness like that. I like big, thick pieces of harness, not the skinny type of straps as I find you need a lot of padding to make it comfortable for the horse.

One place that I found is good for your $ is Rons Harness. I bought a leather set 8 years ago from this company and its held up really well. I only use it for training at home, but its nice quality and is Canadian. Here is their website: http://www.ronshorseharness.com/product/presidential-single-horse-harness-with-breast-plate/[/QUOTE]
Looks like nice stuff for the money.
I like synthetic but if I was looking for inexpensive leather I sure would check into this.

[CHT]

[QUOTE=DiamondJubilee;8101949]
There are lots of nice harness’s out there. I agree with others and it really depends on what you would like re synthetic or leather. I own several pairs of each and I like both.

I agree with goodhors about the snaps. I’m really not a fan of them either and I must say I’ve never seen any one drive with a harness like that. I like big, thick pieces of harness, not the skinny type of straps as I find you need a lot of padding to make it comfortable for the horse.

One place that I found is good for your $ is Rons Harness. I bought a leather set 8 years ago from this company and its held up really well. I only use it for training at home, but its nice quality and is Canadian. Here is their website: http://www.ronshorseharness.com/product/presidential-single-horse-harness-with-breast-plate/[/QUOTE]

I think that is the same harness that is currently for sale on Facebook! I like the idea of synthetic, but I don’t think I am that picky at the moment.

Hoping to meet with the Alberta Carriage driving club at the Mane Event at the end of the month.

The CanDrive looks like a tonne of fun, unfortunately being away from the farm for that many days isn’t doable at this time.

[buck22]

That Ron’s harness looks fantastic for the price!

When I first started driving, the woman who got me started said that green horses and drivers should always start in leather harness because it will break more reliably in the event of a wreck. The same individual is famous for wrecking so take it for what its worth :lol:

For just working in the long lines, I agree, you really don’t need a harness. Even for the purposes of teaching your horse to accept breeching and a crupper, you can cobble those things together with inexpensive parts.

The first harness I bought was used. It was a nice Smuckers harness, but a miserable fit for my horse, and I didn’t even realize at first how badly it fit. It was fine for long lining, but the minute I tried to use it to hitch it just wasn’t working out. I tried looking into replacing parts to make it work, but I could see it becoming an expensive and frustrating endeavor.

I luckily found a second used leather harness that was an ideal fit, and even then I had to do some parts swapping. Fortunately the maker was still active and replacement parts were readily available.

For several reasons, after gaining confidence driving, I was in the market for a synthetic harness and decided to go brand new. It was a dream working with one person, receiving the harness, fitting it, sending back parts that didn’t fit properly, getting replacements, etc. etc. The entire harness matches and is in good shape.

Well, I went around my ass to scratch my ear, but the short version is:

In my experience, horses - even of similar heights - can have vastly different body dimensions and shapes. Harness frequently requires a bit of fitting and having to swap out parts is not uncommon (my 14.3h morgan needs a cob sized harness, horse sized girth, horse sized turnback, pony sized cavesson, etc. etc.).

If you have the time and patience, you can get a very nice used harness and make it work, just be prepared for the potential of hunting up replacement parts.

Otherwise, consider purchasing an inexpensive (but not junk!) newer harness where you can work back and forth with the seller until the fit is just right. It really does make life easier, especially if you have a horse with oddly sized body parts, like mine.

[DiamondJubilee]

Buck 22 brings up a great point on harness fit. I have had several hard to fit “inbetweeners” as well. The nice thing about Ron’s Harness (changed names a few years ago), is they mixed and matched for me. I needed a longer hip strap and longer traces, smaller bridle etc and it cost no extra money. They made sure it fit. I can’t tell you how happy I was for this “cheap” set of harness. I really abuse it as well (never gets cleaned, and is used quite often) and it has held up really well. I don’t work for them, I swear lol! I was just pleasantly surprised with the quality/customer service. Now this was a while ago and the harness looks a little different, but not by much.

We also have zilco harness for our pair, use it daily and just love it! Still looks brand new, wears really well, cleans easily but it cost a lot more $ for sure. Not the best first set of harness unless you know you are going to stick with it.

Used harness can be a crap shoot. I have bought several nice quality sets used and some parts needed to be replaced to fit. Custom is great, but of course you have to pay $ for that and may not be the best plan for everyone (Ron’s being an exception as it is cheap for a new “custom” harness). Especially when starting out and deciding what to do.