Pairs holdbacks (for Cayuse)

[Peggy Porter]

This photo shows my Camptown freedom collars with the holdbacks from breeching ring to ring on collar. Breeching is probably a bit too high on this photo.

 

[Peggy Porter]

This photo shows the holdbacks from the breeching down to the ring on the martingale just behind his front legs. Not a great photo, but it shows the attachment the best I have right now. This was when I first got this harness, and making adjustments.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I did not know they could attach anywhere but on the shafts.

 

[Cayuse]

Thanks Peggy! In the second picture, when the breeching comes into play, it is under them?  I think MajorClem explained it to me once, but I just can't grasp it.  Does it tighten when they stop the cart?

 

[Peggy Porter]

I did not know they could attach anywhere but on the shafts.

On a pairs vehicle, there are no shafts. One pole between the two horses. You couldn’t attach the outside breeching to the pole.

 

[Peggy Porter]

Thanks Peggy! In the second picture, when the breeching comes into play, it is under them?  I think MajorClem explained it to me once, but I just can't grasp it.  Does it tighten when they stop the cart?

Yes. When you stop, The pole continues forward. This causes the yoke strap (which connects the collar to the yoke on the pole) to pull the collars forward, off the chest, which causes the ring on the martingale to move forward, tightening the holdbacks on the breeching so the butt takes the pressure and stops the carriage. Brakes help lots on a carriage, not to stop the horses but to help slow the carriage on hills or when stopping. This particular carriage does not have brakes, but it’s rather lightweight, and we don’t do much trail driving with it. Mostly flat roads. I have thought about putting a set of bicycle brakes on the back wheels, but I’m not sure how to get them foot activated. Maybe something to brainstorm this winter.Right Now I’m having lots of fun!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

On a pairs vehicle, there are no shafts. One pole between the two horses. You couldn’t attach the outside breeching to the pole.

Could the concept work with attaching the straps to the breast collar instead of the shafts?  My only experience is driving single.

 

[Cayuse]

I think I understand now  :yes  !    It must take a bit of tinkering to get the adjustments just right.

Thanks!

 

[Peggy Porter]

Could the concept work with attaching the straps to the breast collar instead of the shafts?  My only experience is driving single.

No, it wouldn’t work. On a pair the pole is attached to the front of the collar. On a single, the shafts are not attached and would slide through the shaft holders (tug loops) if the breeching wasn’t attached to the shafts. . If you could see it in person, it really isn’t hard to understand, but to try to explain is a little more difficult. 

Unless you have a quick hitch setup like the harness racers use. Their shafts attach to the saddle and there is no breeching. It works great for their situation: extremely lightweight jog cart, flat groomed surface, and looping curves. Not good for heavier cart and small horse, uneven trails and hills, and tight turns.

 

[Peggy Porter]

I think I understand now  :yes  !    It must take a bit of tinkering to get the adjustments just right.

Thanks!

I think I am constantly fiddling with adjustments! This pole fits everything perfectly, and I really had minimal tweaking to get the boys comfy. It really is more than double the fun!

 

[Marsha Cassada]

No, it wouldn’t work. On a pair the pole is attached to the front of the collar. On a single, the shafts are not attached and would slide through the shaft holders (tug loops) if the breeching wasn’t attached to the shafts. . If you could see it in person, it really isn’t hard to understand, but to try to explain is a little more difficult. 

Unless you have a quick hitch setup like the harness racers use. Their shafts attach to the saddle and there is no breeching. It works great for their situation: extremely lightweight jog cart, flat groomed surface, and looping curves. Not good for heavier cart and small horse, uneven trails and hills, and tight turns.

I have the quick hitch on my sulky and was wondering how I could do breeching.  I might try it sometime, just to get an idea about it.

 

[Peggy Porter]

I have the quick hitch on my sulky and was wondering how I could do breeching.  I might try it sometime, just to get an idea about it.

I would like to see how your quick hitch is set up. I'm always interested in learning something new.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

I've shown it here a few times.   The third photo is the sulky and harness actually used in racing.  I bought the setup from a man who owned racing horses, big and miniature.  I bought it before I even had a horse.  Wasn't that lucky?!

 

[Peggy Porter]

Very cool, Marsha! In the first photo, is that leather sheath attached to the saddle? What breed show people call a thimble? Used in place of breeching to hold the cart back.

 

[Marsha Cassada]

Very cool, Marsha! In the first photo, is that leather sheath attached to the saddle? What breed show people call a thimble? Used in place of breeching to hold the cart back.

Yes, the thimble is attached to the saddle.  In the second photo I'm holding it up out of the way.