I 'think' I have decided on a harness

[maplegum]

The hunt for a harness for Bailey continues. I can't believe the trouble I am having finding a smaller harness here. They must be available because many people drive minis here. The harnesses I come across are far too big.

Anyway, I've decided to spend a little more money and invest in something like this one. It's the 2nd one down. The heritage harness listed in the top picture looks so chunky and bulky. I don't think it would suit Bailey at all.

Mini Show Harness



I like how trim this harness looks, not bulky like the heritage one.

Can someone explain the bridle to me though? Why does it cross over the head like that? I thought a nose band would look better. Is that an 'over check'?

I am also thinking of getting a half cheek snaffle bit. Some bits have a joint in the middle. some don't. Any advantage having one over the other??

I just want to do it right 1st time around.

xox Leonie xox

 

[ruffian]

It doesn't look too bad, but I would think for that price you could get a little nicer one. The one thing I don't like about this one is the way the tug strap comes up over the neck. I prefer those that you can angle back so it's not on the mane.

I prefer the rolled show harnesses myself.

Yes, this is an overcheck bridle. This doesn't appear to have a caveson, but it's normal for the bridle to be crossed that way.

 

[Fanch]

I think I have this EXACT harness, except I have the side check (where as this one shows the overcheck) I do a couple of AMHA shows a year, along with fairs, and pleasure driving. I find this harness to be a nice inbetween one, looks pretty good in the ring, but durable enough that I can go racing throught the orchards with it. I have used mine for 2 fulls season and with regular cleaning, it is still good as new!

When I bought mine, the only sizes where "A" and "R", I find that the A fits my 32" gelding nice, with room for adjustments avilable.

 

[BannerBrat]

[SIZE=12pt]Hello Leonie! [/SIZE]

I believe, just from looking closely at it that the harness you are looking at is very similar to the one here at Ozark mountain, Ozark Mountain Pleasure harness . I have this harness & I think you will like it a lot. What you see in the picture is an overcheck, and unless it's required you could take it off (you'll prolly have to cut if off, no big deal really.) I don't see an option for a side check, which if you had to have a check, you'd probably prefer it. You can purchase a cavesson seperately and add it on.

As for the harness I have mine & love it, sometimes i wish it was a little heavier duty, but for the money you really can't beat it.

Though you didn't ask for it, my opinion is that the first harness is the better one, though it's cheaper, which makes me wonder why... But to compare those harnesses from those pictures is a bit unfair as the first one isn't properly adjusted & the second one is. The first one looks sturdier, yes it's slighty bulkier but i'd use the first one with out harness pads, the second one I use pads with. So just throwing it out there i think the first harness would be more comfortable.

Good luck & I can't wait to see more pictures of Bailey & Willow, I sure have been enjoying them.

oh, btw Ruffian, it's simple enough to run the neck strap on the traces through the waterhook on the saddle, i used to do it with my harness, though i like to just have it go across his neck anymore, fits better that way.

 

[maplegum]

[SIZE=12pt]Hello Leonie! [/SIZE]I believe, just from looking closely at it that the harness you are looking at is very similar to the one here at Ozark mountain, Ozark Mountain Pleasure harness . I have this harness & I think you will like it a lot. What you see in the picture is an overcheck, and unless it's required you could take it off (you'll prolly have to cut if off, no big deal really.) I don't see an option for a side check, which if you had to have a check, you'd probably prefer it. You can purchase a cavesson seperately and add it on.

As for the harness I have mine & love it, sometimes i wish it was a little heavier duty, but for the money you really can't beat it.

Though you didn't ask for it, my opinion is that the first harness is the better one, though it's cheaper, which makes me wonder why... But to compare those harnesses from those pictures is a bit unfair as the first one isn't properly adjusted & the second one is. The first one looks sturdier, yes it's slighty bulkier but i'd use the first one with out harness pads, the second one I use pads with. So just throwing it out there i think the first harness would be more comfortable.

Good luck & I can't wait to see more pictures of Bailey & Willow, I sure have been enjoying them.

oh, btw Ruffian, it's simple enough to run the neck strap on the traces through the waterhook on the saddle, i used to do it with my harness, though i like to just have it go across his neck anymore, fits better that way.

Ashley! You are making me even more confused!! I had thought about the heritage harness many times and actually emailed the company and they responded by telling me that they had sold hundreds to mini owners and they are very happy it. I guess they should use a better photo showing how the harness fits correctly. The shafts are too high up too aren't they in that picture?

There doesn't seem to be too much to choose from in Australia, you guys are so lucky with all of your options. I thought about ordering from overseas but the Australian dollar is crap and I wouldn't get much for my money.

 

[jleonard]

I agree that this looks very similar to the Ozark harness, which is what I have. Mine came with the overcheck, but it was easy enough to remove (it just unbuckles near the brow band) and replace with a caveson. I have had mine for seven years and it's still good as new. It was a great starter harness, and though I don't show, I think it cleans up nice enough to look great in the show ring. It is beautiful when I get everything polished. I do use a back pad with it, as it is rather narrow. I am hoping to try combined driving this year, and if that goes well I would like to up-grade to something a bit sturdier, but plan to use this one until I see how it goes. I think this harness would serve you well for many years to come!

 

[LAZY J MINIS]

TRY MIKE HERRON IN IOWA. I JUST PURCHASED ONE FROM HIM AND LOVE IT, AND PRICE WAS GREAT. PHONE 515-996-2834

 

[Minimor]

I would choose the 2nd harness too. It does look very much like the Ozark Mtn. pleasure harness and if the quality is anything similar to the Ozark harness you will not be disappointed. (I have the Ozark Mtn harness--it was the first harness I got that had a decent fit--I had bought & sold 2 or 3 prior to getting it...poor fit, poor quality, so I was thrilled with the Ozark harness!) This harness should be more versatile too--sturdy enough for every day driving, yet nice enough to show with too.

Actually it looks to me like the harness comes with both the overcheck and the side check, so it's easy to remove whichever one you don't want to use (or both if you want to use none) and as said it's easy to add a cavesson--even if you have to import a cavesson, they aren't that pricey and should ship fairly cheaply?

I agree that first harness just looks way too bulky and heavy--rather overpowering on a small horse. They really need to use a photo that shows the harness properly fitted--the way it is, fitted so badly, it looks painful!

 

[Sandee]

Maplegum, try to find someone in your area that really knows about driving. Even if it's big horses. They could point you in the right direction to find someone down there that are reliable harness sellers to work with.

I would prefer the second harness to the first mainly on looks but I worry about a dealer that would show such sloppy pictures. The first harness is too big for the horse it's one and yes, the cart shafts are too high. However, the second harness has one little detail that bothers me too. It shows an overcheck (that's the cross over onthe face) which most people showing would never use without a caveson (noseband) but it looks to be running thru the loops on the side of the bridle which would normally carry the side checks. An overcheck usually goes up the face and thru an extra leather "carrier" on the TOP of the headstall (not the side). Either the sellers don't know what they are selling or are just taking sloppy pictures.

 

[BannerBrat]

[SIZE=12pt]Sorry Leonie!

[/SIZE]

Just had to throw it out there. Yes in that picture the shafts are too high, as well as the overall harnessing is sloppy.

Looking back at the second harness it does have a sidecheck, as well as an overcheck, so you could simply choose with you wanted to use & take off the other one. (or take them both off

) I agree with Sandy, ask someone who drives over there & find out where they get their harnesses. Overall I still prefer the first harness, but I think you'll be fine no matter which one you choose.

They both look well made, from the picture at least.

As for your question on a bit in your first post, looking on this page Bits I would chose either the Eggbutt Mullen Mouth, the 8th one down, or the Superfine Eggbutt Snaffle, the 5th one down. I see that they have french link snaffles as well (which normally i'd recommend right off the bat) but it seems to me where the center piece connects to the bars of the bit is too thick.

The difference between a jointed mouth piece & a solid one is the solid one will have more 'whoa' power, but it *can* be a problem for some horses with turns as the opposite side of the bit can hit the top of the mouth. The jointed mouthpiece is great for turning, but when both sides of the bit are activated there is 'nutcracker' action which some horses don't like. Also sometimes the joint can hit the top on the mouth. A french link is commonly used because it doesn't poke the top of the mouth. You could try on of the french links,(of them all i'd reccomend the 7th one down.) but the joints on either side of the center piece are what i'm worried might be uncomfortable in a little horse mouth. What it comes down to is what your horse likes & having light hands/light mouthed horse.

I sure hope this helps some.

 

[rabbitsfizz]

I think maybe the people selling the harness do not know much about harnessing a horse up....would that inspire confidence??

I'm not sure it is actually necessary but if the harness does not fit properly it is going to be a pain trying to explain and getting it changed will be even more of a pain!!

The first harness is the one I have and I would not swap it for anything!!

It was good enough to show before the Queen of England in, BTW!!

The second one looks as if it is an adaptation and not a particularly good one, I am not convinced this harness and the breaching go together particularly well, but maybe it is the fact that whoever harnessed the horse was not....what shall we say??...very knowledgeable??

Anyhoo, for some reason they have slapped on both the overcheck and the side check (nothing like overkill, I would obviously suggest you use neither) which is going to confuse "newbies" and may even lead to accidents.

The first harness is excellent value for money, but my gut feeling is that I would go with a harness seller who knows something about harness, even if it means importing it.

The little extra could be well worth it in the long run.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I like the double strap on the breeching of the first one. I am also glad my first harness was heavier.

And I feel for you--the whole contraption comes in a box with nary a manual! Sorting out all those straps and buckles is daunting.

I would also take off all the checks ,at least at first. They are clunky and if not used properly can be a problem.

Get a leather punch so you can make adjustments. But don't cut off any long ends till you are really sure you have it right! (Can you tell that is the voice of experience speaking?

)

What fun you are going to have with your very special boy!

 

[maplegum]

Guess what?

I went ahead and ordered the 1st harness listed - the Heritage.

Wish me luck and I'm sure I'll be asking for help very soon from everyone.

Thanks,

xox Leonie xox