[drivingpairs] Re: Axel Draft

Hi Heather

Axle draft has become a topic of discussion due to the influence of an 
Australian 
friend on the RecreationalEquineDriving list on Yahoo groups.  Rob has a strong 
bias towards a style of two wheeled vehicle known as a Break (or Brake).  This 
is 
a long, low vehicle that is perfectly suited for recreational driving and/or 
training green animals.  This vehicle incorporates axle draft as a main 
feature. 
The break has a number of advantages and represents the progress in two wheeled 
vehicles made in Australia long after most horse drawn vehicles were abandoned 
in 
the US.

In MY experience, the addition of axle draft by itself, does very little to 
improve the ride or comfort to the horse.  The really critical thing is 
balance. 
Properly balanced, and with a line of draft that is correct for the vehicle, 
horse motion (bouncing) can be minimized, if not totally eliminated.  The 
bouncing I am referring to is not the spring action caused by rough ground, but 
the back and forth back slapping caused by the horse's springy stride, as well 
as 
the impulses from the horse's shoulder moving in the collar.

The configuration of this style vehicle does not lend itself to multiples 
driving, so is off topic on this list.  If you are interested, e-mail me 
privately and I will show you how to subscribe toe the RED list, which has huge 
archives discussing the pros and cons of various styles of vehicles and harness.

FWIW

Jay E Hubert
Coffing Oaks Welsh Ponies
Galt, CA

Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, because you are crunchy and taste good 
with ketchup.

And I STILL drive too fast to worry about cholesterol! 

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