What to look for in a first harness

[classicrocky]

When I started driving my mini, I made a mistake and bought a fairly cheap biothane harness, thinking everything was fine. I never hitched it, because I couldn’t stand the feel of the biothane - it just felt cheap.

I ended up buying this harness:
http://www.comfyfitharness.com/

And I love it on my mini. I think I would get one for my full sized mare if I ever tried to drive her. I took measurements and sent those on and it made sure the harness fit him. Thank goodness it fit my new mini as well. The betathane feels almost like leather and is padded in strategic places.

[China_Doll]

[QUOTE=Drive NJ;8101912]
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[/QUOTE]

She does give good customer service. Thats a nice harness for Bio

[CHT]

I found someone in the province that sells the Comfyfit, so they are on my list to check out at the end of the month.

I am getting more measurements on the harness on facebook now that it looks like I know the make of it…I can just order the parts that don’t fit well. (the seller only listed the girth size, which looks fine, but I am thinking the chest piece is also key.

I know I can do much of the preliminary work using a surcingle, but won’t I want to send her for training with a harness that fits her? I want to be ready in case I find a trainer that can take her as I am sure I would want her to go for training when they can work outside.

[classicrocky]

It makes sense to me - having a harness specifically for your horse and to allow it to be fitted to your horse, for sure. I know when I contemplated sending my Rocky off to be started, the trainer required one and if I wanted to show, would require a cart as well. I did a ton of ground work with my neighbor’s harness, but never sent her off and opted to just work with my mini instead. I really love my comfy fit.

[CHT]

So far looked into two used harnesses being sold in Alberta…the $400 facebook harness would have fit…but it is only $397 new! Another one advertised for $500 can be found new for under $300! (the fools used a stock photo of the harness which had the tack store that sells it in the footer). Losing my trust in buying used.