Side Check or over check??

[Dynamic Equines]

I have a gelding that we are training to drive. He will go in the country pleasure division. He has a very relaxed natural head set. We are going to have to get him a new show harness. Do you prefer a side or over check? What are the pros and cons of each??

Thanks,

Ashley

 

[dannigirl]

I prefer side checks. I don't like the look of the cross over the face with over checks and they look like (not that it is) they might be less comfortable. I usually have the checks really loose and the only thing they are doing is keeping them from grazing while we are driving. I do bring them up a bit for showing. Checks are not really a necessity to drive, but I am not sure if you need them for show--we have just always used them. If you like his natural headset, I would go with sidechecks set loose enough that they aren't really doing much but be there for show.

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

Sidechecks for pleasure (all divisions) and overcheck for Roadster.

but I am not sure if you need them for show-

Yes, they are required for both AMHR and AMHA.

Lucy

 

[hobbyhorse23]

No check!

But if you're getting a show harness and have to, go with a loose sidecheck.

Leia

 

[jbrat]

Here's another vote for a side check!

Or anti-grazing device,lol.

If I use one at all it is a loose side check.

I'm with Dannigirl and I don't like the look of the over check.

Field-of-Dreams - do you have to use over check in Roadster classes?

 

[Dynamic Equines]

I guess I shouild say he will be shown. I also like the look of the side check. I just wanted to make sure I was on the right track. We are not currently driving him with any kind of check but he does wear a bitting rig with a side check so he does know what it feels like.

Thanks for the answers. I am new to minis but not to driving.

 

[Carolyn R]

Coming from someone currently using an overcheck, I prefer a SIDECHECK. Much nicer, cleaner look. Instead of converting my headstall,I am just going to get a new harness with a sidecheck. I am in need of a second harness anyhow.

Carolyn

 

[Katiean]

When I was using an over check I also had to use a martingale. With the side check my horses set their head naturally. I was used to Harness Race Horses and the double bitting and over check. I soon found that the little horses didn't NEED the over check for pleasure driving. I think I would use the over check for Roadster.

 

[normajeanbaker]

Depends on the horse and how they set themselves up. I have 2 that prefer and set up better in an overcheck. One of them has the overcheck attached to their snaffle. The other one likes the overcheck attached to a leather overcheck bit. Then I have 2 driving horses who are built more for and set up better in a sidecheck. We start everything in a sidecheck. Once they are comfy and going well, we then start to play aorund with the sidechecks and overcheck set ups to see which works best for each horse. No two of my horses are set up exactly the same.

~Jen~

 

[Field-of-Dreams]

Field-of-Dreams - do you have to use over check in Roadster classes?

For Shetlands- yes. For Minis, your choice.

Lucy

 

[Southern_Heart]

I like the looks of the side check better. I also have an over check but I mostly use that for around the property. Plus I really hate that cross over the nose. I think it looks horrid as it takes away the beauty of the face.

 

[White Socks Miniature]

I have a horse that was started in an overcheck ( as that is what the harness came with and I was just a newbie back then) but I am now switching to a side check. I too do not like the look of an overcheck!

 

[rabbitsfizz]

No check!

But if you're getting a show harness and have to, go with a loose side check.
Leia

Yep, none for me, ever.

Nothing in the rules of AMHA actually says the check has to be attached to the bit BTW.......

And nothing in either sets of rules says you have to have any contact with the mouth, or cannot attach a piece of elastic bungee between the check turret and the rein.

If you have to "set" your horses head with a rein, which is NOT what it is there for, you are CHEATING!!!!

 

[willowoodstables]

No check!

But if you're getting a show harness and have to, go with a loose side check.
Leia

Yep, none for me, ever.

Nothing in the rules of AMHA actually says the check has to be attached to the bit BTW.......

And nothing in either sets of rules says you have to have any contact with the mouth, or cannot attach a piece of elastic bungee between the check turret and the rein.

If you have to "set" your horses head with a rein, which is NOT what it is there for, you are CHEATING!!!!

Hey ya Fizz! I agree, add a piece of heavy black elastic (like used on waistbands of pants) to the end of the check to attach to the waterhook (yes that is what it is called..the turret is what the lines go thru).

Or I have used a black heavy shoe string for the whole check rein. I have mine done with the elastic, I never work in one and hate em. The problem with them being attached loose, is they tend to flop on the neck or hang down one side of the neck, very unsightly!

Kim

PS here is a pony wearing an overcheck, and it is not what is setting his head..that is proper bitting, training and good conformation!

and here is a neat angle to see the back of his neck..the BEST type of overcheck to get is called a SPLIT overcheck..meaning the check will lay on either side of the crest/poll.

And there is a difference in the function of the checks. Overcheck pulls the nose out and up (ala racehorse) and a side check allows for a more natural headset.

Kim

 

[MiLo Minis]

I like the looks of the side check better. I also have an over check but I mostly use that for around the property. Plus I really hate that cross over the nose. I think it looks horrid as it takes away the beauty of the face.

Southern Heart, if you read down further to Willowwoods reply, you will see that there are 2 entirely separate functions performed by the two types of checks as she very nicely and clearly explains. The reason elastic is being suggested for an overcheck is that it has some give to it. An overcheck is ALWAYS in play - with every stride the horse takes he feels the tug of the overcheck on his mouth. The side check, adjusted properly, only comes in play when the horse lowers his head too far. The LOOK of them, as several have suggested on here, is not what should be the big concern when deciding to use one or the other. Does your horse NEED a sidecheck or overcheck? A sidecheck comes in handy if you have a horse that likes to grab grass when you are driving yet allows a natural headset. I personally feel that an overcheck is NEVER required UNLESS you are in a class where the "look" can only be achieved with the use of one, such as roadster, and then, I would ONLY use it for that class and remove it when I am outside the ring. You do of course need to practice with it in a nice flat ring at home but "for around the property" it is definitely NOT suitable. If your horse should put a foot wrong and stumble on rough ground he is going to get a severe jerk in the mouth perhaps tearing his mouth.

Oh yeah, and yup, it is the waterhook that carries the check but it is not a turret that carries the reins - you find those on castles - it is actually a tErret or ring that carries the reins Kim

There have been other threads on the forum here that thoroughly discuss the use and whys and wherefores of checks - I recommend you 'search' them!

 

[macy--red carpet minis]

I much prefer the overcheck... Other than doing what it's supposed to with their headset, I really think it gives the harness the final touch. Many people think the overcheck makes the horses head look busy, and not have as much of a "clean" look. I disagree though....

However, I know of some horses that work better in the sidechecks. So, I guess it really depends on your preference but also your horse's preference.

Good luck

Macy

 

[squeaky]

Willowoodstables or anyone else-

Could you show a close up of the elastic arragement you do with the checks? I think I understand how you are attaching them, but I would like to get a picture of it for future reference.

Thanks!

Amanda

 

[hobbyhorse23]

That's a good idea to use elastic only at the check hook. I was pondering using elastic for the whole darn thing (like a corded sidecheck, but out of stretchy cord) so it could look tight without jerking the horse but wasn't sure how to make one. Does anyone have any pictures or ideas for that? I don't know how to make the knots by the bit hardware so they're low profile and stay tied.

Leia

P.S.- I actually prefer the look of an overcheck to a sidecheck because I HATE the way a loose sidecheck bulks up the poll area and flops on both sides of the neck. The overcheck is neater as it only shows on the front of the face and you can get some pretty fine ones that are lower profile without a cross-piece between the two bit attachments. Unfortunately I don't like what they do to the horse's headset and way of going so a sidecheck it is when I have to use one. My goal next year is to make it as invisible as I can!

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Yes, it is "terret" you can thank good old "spellcheck" for that one!!

The check hook is called just that here, but since I have never, nor shall ever, used one, I did not know the correct term for it and had to go look it up!!

It is not called a "water hook" over here, and the turrets are definitely what the rains go through, not turrets!!

I'm sorry, I have no pictures as I have never used this contraption, only ever advised it's use.

Chuck the checkrein and only use it, nice and loose, for the stupid shows that demand it, is my advice.

It has no place in training, anyway, as the horse should be concentrating hard enough on what it is being told to keep it's head out of the grass.

And spellcheck has just turned all my "terrets" into "turrets" AGAIN, so I've wrestled the flipping thing into submission and got it to recognise "turrets"

Whoopee.

So it tried to turn them into "torrents" this time.

ARGH!!!

 

[rabbitsfizz]

Oooh, Leia, we must have been posting at the same time....making an all elastic check would be great, all you would need to do is get the little flange thing off a safety stirrup (use that to hook onto the check hook) and use black "bungee" elastic, you can buy it by the yard (or the metre if you are me) at some hardware stores.

I would use snap hooks to attach it to the noseband or bit....loop it through, sew it firmly and bind it with sticky tape,...then just loop it round the check hook and back up the other side...the only problem with this would be that it is not adjustable but it is cheap enough to have one or two of them and, if you were to go for chestnut coloured elastic, it would blend in with Kody's neck colour, and thus be almost invisible.

If you want an adjustable one I shall put my mind to that.....