I saw the thread about a mini that showed a video of the mini pulling a sled and thought that would be a lot of fun to do with my mini. He already knows how to ground drive, so now I guess I need a harness. Any advice on where to get one inexpensively? He is 36" tall, if that is a factor. I know next to nothing about harnesses, so any advice is welcome!
I just got a really nice one from Ozark Mountain. It’s the leather pleasure harness, russet color. I paid $300. http://www.minitack.com/mw90.htm
If you are looking at leather, don’t get anything below $200…it’s probably junk.
They also have a good quality nylon one, but even that one is just shy of $200.
I have also heard the valley vet betathane one is nice for the money. Definitely less upkeep than leather…http://www.valleyvet.com/ct_detail.html?pgguid=b96a140d-9c9d-417c-a245-1fcb3481fe8a
Here in Ontario you can get good Mennonite (Amish) made harnesses at Brubacher’s harness.
Star Lake Tack has nice ones, too.
Not to hijack but two related questions that might help the OP too (I’m getting ready to teach my mini donkey to drive):
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Do you guys recommend nylon, leather, or something else? I don’t like the feel of nylon and wouldn’t want it all over me, but leather is higher-maintenance of course. Maybe betathane is a good low-maintenance option?
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I’ve read to start out with a cheap harness because the first one will get destroyed, but I’m not sure how realistic a concern that is. It’s not like I’m going to just turn him loose wearing it! I wouldn’t go buying a $1,000 patent leather harness or anything, but $200-300 seems like a reasonable investment. I can’t imagine anything cheaper lasting for long, right?
Do Not Waste Your Time with Cheap Equipment “to start”
Personally, you should buy a decent set of harness to start and it will last you quite a while. IF you lose interest it will hold it’s price better than a cheap set. There is no reason you should ruin your first set of harness. You CAN ruin your driving horse if the harness fails at the wrong time.
Kind of like buying cheap bridle or stirrup leathers, cheap stuff will stretch or break or something just when you DON’T want it to.
Nylon tends to rub and doesn’t conform well to the horse. My preference is leather, but I love leather and still have parts of my first harness built in the early 70s. More care, but not that much of an issue.
Beta with stainless or chrome metal is what a lot of people use now. Works well in general. I just don’t like most of the bridles - they feel cheesy to me - but they are working well for many and may save some $$
Chimicum Tack had mini harness at a decent price. Also check www.drivingessentials.com in PA, Carriage Driving Essentials on the West Coast, www.countrycarriagesuse.com in North Carolina camptownharness.com or many of the Amish harness makers in areas where they live (mostly not on line).
Make sure the harness is built to be comfortable for your mini. Typically minis have low set necks so you are going to want a v shape to your breast collar (Camptown calls this a Freedom collar)and make sure the straps with pressure (breast collar and breeching) are relatively wide or else it’s like the difference in pulling something heavy with a clothesline rope or a heavier cotton lead rope - you spread the pressure around a bit.
For ease of use and safety, I’d get buckle in traces vs one piece breastcollar and traces.
Thanks for the links, and especially the advice on what works for minis.
