[drivingpairs] Marathon Pole

> was tangled but the pole had bend in it where it 
> when into the socket at the splinter bar.  As we 
> crossed the bank the pole broke and back hit the 
> ground,

> The marathon vehicle that we have has a 
> pole made from square stock.  It has been 
> reinforced for Black Prong this weekend.  The 
> pole and splinter bar assembly will be replaced 
> with heaver gage round stock as soon as I can 
> fabricate one.

A suggestion for the new pole is wooden reinforcement
on the inside.  We run a piece of wood inside the
metal pole tube (round) to prevent metal from folding,
as it sounds like yours did.  Lots of sideways force
on metal pole, right in front of socket, maybe metal
fatigue?  For a large round tube, husband just cuts
the corners off an appropriate size and length, square
piece of wood and runs it inside.  One wood piece, the
whole length of pole. Like a jump pole, 8-sided, not
truly round wood.  Usually has to hammer wood in a
little, to get a snug fit, but shouldn't be too hard
to fit.  Wood will expand a bit in damp weather, so
should be an easy fit going in.  Wood inside makes the
metal tube more rigid, no give on sideways stress,
can't fold easily.  Pole is heavily padded and then
wrapped with FORMAL black duct tape!  Black is always
correct!  Seems to wear better too.  We get the wide
4" stuff.  At least black doesn't show wear like the
silver does.   Rewrapped as needed, if worn or over
any rough spots that appear.

Our pole goes into a socket that is spring loaded on
the splinter bar.  We keep an eye on the wear of bolt
holes to prevent any slop in between pole and socket. 
Metal does get tired too, so you have to keep checking
things.  Wood does make pole heavier, but spring
loaded pole keeps the weight off the horses.  Really
only notice weight when you put on or take off the
pole, from the vehicle.   Sometimes a sleeve in bolt
hole prevents actual wear on socket and pole
themselves.

We try to do a few circles and turns in the barnyard
before departing.  During this time, he checks the
brakes, front and back, rein adjustments, last
check-over of all harness, before going down the road.

Were your brakes snagged?  Blow a line?  Really glad
to hear there was a tree to stop vehicle, not on the
horses!!
We have used our spares kit any number of times.  We
have a bunch of odd things that have come in useful. 
The spares will vary, depending on which vehicle we
are driving.  I can't think of anything we carry, we
haven't used at least once, someplace.  Ours includes
horse and people first-aid.  Luckily though, we have
only needed a couple band-aids from that bag.  We did
add a kingpin, after breaking one on a post.  Who
would ever think you could?  Vehicle did not turn on
hazard post like usual, mud.  Ex-logging horse just
tried a little harder!!  We NOTICED when horses
started left turn, vehicle kept going straight!! 
Pretty exciting!  Our brakes worked though.  We
cobbled vehicle-pole together with lead ropes (spares
bag again) and got back to the trailer.  Kind of
wrecked the fun of the Marathon though!

Good Luck at Black Prong.

Kathy Robertson 

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