Major Clemantine - Flattery GOOD! I can handle that. Those were a dollar store find - after I was told I had to enter my ponies. I had gone to the show (taking the ponies/wagon/harness) to get advice from the mini draft experts I was told were there. For whatever reason, I didn't ever have any problems with hitching the girls to the bigger wagon, but the new one was an issue. Got help the one day with figuring it all out (thought it was gonna take forever!!) - was a problem with the quarter straps and then also with the length of the traces. Balance, balance, balance.
As to my tack room?? In previous barn, I had most of the harness hanging on 3 post, vertical saddle racks (have 3 of those). I currently have 10 sets of work harness. 4 sets mini (B size) in 2 strap spider, no spots, betathane w/ stainless steel hames; 4 sets small pony in biothane (shiny) with spots and 3 strap spiders; 2 sets medium pony betathane, 3 strap spider, no spots. Those are all made by the same company and purchased between Feb 2011 and March 2014. I have work collars sized from 9.5" to 16". The two that are under 10" are too small to use for anything. They were in a lot of equipment I purchased off of Craig's List and the person "lied"... stating that they "thought" the collars were 11" (that would have worked for me, I was SO EXCITED). Stuppeee me, nuff said. The two 16" collars were purchased in March 2015 - the last time I went to the Dixie Draft Horse sale in Troutman, NC. They came from the same company as the harness and most of the other collars, but were made by Coblentz collars. I will have to count my collars again - but think I have 8? Hmmm.... that can't be right. Definitely need to count them.
I have at least two sets of pair lines (should have 4 sets, but not sure that I do) - one in mini size and one in small pony size. I need to get more of those. The mini length is too short for most of what I do... I also have one set of 3 abreast lines and 1 set of 4 abreast lines. Gets interesting there, let me tell you! Found out I was having problems with the 4 abreast hitch because the lines were put together wrong at the company and I didn't kno to fix it... I took the 4 ponies up to OH w/ me after these shots taken and had them fixed and then returned home. I did get compliments on my training/handling of the ponies and they wanted to purchase the one (GG)...
Now have 3 beta/bio-thane pleasure harness's. One was parts got at a little horsey "yard sale". The company above made the other parts to go with it - so now have a complete harness. It's a mini size and is on the cremello mare in the butt shots before. Wouldn't fit her now, I don't think. The 2nd came from a private purchase (& I paid way too many $$ for it, didn't realize until too late, sigh)... It is also more of a mini size and doesn't fit most of our ponies. But currently have at least 4 that these two will fit now (they will need to be trained (2 - 2012 mares and 2 - 2013 geldings).
Then I have a shaped breast collar one also made in OH. I got the buckle on lines, and buckles in other places as well.
I currently have a lot of the harness in clear &/or colored plastic tubs and hanging on the saddle racks in a stall in the "barn" we now have. After 18 months, it's still not really set up and right now, it's too hot to hang out there too long - when I'm off work. Part of the "pulling equipment" is in our shop and some is in the barn stall. All needs to have hangers hung up and be put up where we can easily get to them... - the single and double trees - both metal and wood, the 3 and 4 horse eveners and the 2 horse neck yokes (wood and metal).
Then I have bits and pieces of harness that I've gotten over the years. Some has been made, some has been given to me, most came as in-complete sets. I made two sets of the braided haystring pleasure harness and have a partial 3rd one made. The two mini surcingles will need to be replaced before I do much driving again... They are worn out.
) so I am able to relax my hands a little. I have arthritis in my thumb joints so I was worried the larger reins might be a problem but I find that the opposite is true.
