[drivingpairs] Snap Shackles are Safer

I sent this message to the CD-L list by mistake.  Some
of you may have already read it.  More food for
thought.
> >
> > I would like to voice a concern on folks using
> carabiners, as opposed to snap shackles on the chest
> connection to vehicle. This also touches pole chains
> as opposed to pole straps.
> >
> > Carabiners and pole chains both have springs, for
> push-to-open latches. Just takes a push to catch
> whatever you want to hook onto.
> >
> > That is the problem. Over the years I have seen
> several almost-accidents and one really bad wreck,
> where a horse snagged something on the latch of
> carabiner or pole chain. Usually the bottom bar of a
> pair bit, once a bridle buckle, which pulled the
> bridle half off. Just moving a bit or harness over
> the spring latch, lets it catch on equipment. No one
> watches their horses 100% of the time, and that is
> when they rub and get in trouble, especially in
> multiples. Some rub in spite of your best effort to
> prevent it! How does your horse react if he suddenly
> is held down by the head, when his bit is snapped to
> his chest? Many don't wait for help. You can't react
> fast enough to aid them before explosion.
> >
> > We use snap shackles only, for speedy hitching and
> releases. While we have had some trace shackles come
> undone, we have never had one trap a bit. Ours seem
> to come undone when horse hair in tail, snags in
> rings holding pull tabs. As horse swishes tail, it
> pulls the release. I keep our snap shackles oiled up
> to work smoothly. Doesn't take much pull to release
> it, with strong tail hairs like nylon strings!
> Horses don't get excited about loose traces flopping
> around. We just stop and re-attach it. The only
> chest snap shackle that came undone was while
> harnessing. The young horse reached over and pulled
> the tab on the ring. He only did it once, never even
> tried again. We have snap shackles on the short neck
> yoke of marathon vehicles.
> >
> > Pole straps wear, and have to be adjusted twice
> when harnessing, but don't grab onto things when
> rubbed on. Correct and traditional for Pleasure
> driving at shows. They really only take a couple
> extra minutes when harnessing up, as opposed to
> snapping up.
> >
> > Please consider what you use for attaching horse
> to vehicle and ways it can go wrong. Push-to-open
> snaps are not something I would ever recommend on a
> carriage, even though pole chains are traditional.
> That is one reason old carriage and coach horses had
> check reins. Couldn't get head down by the snap on
> pole chain!
> >
> > I know folks who have used carabiners/pole chains
> for years, no problems. Others only got a couple
> hitchings before problems. One nasty accident, vet
> visits, would more than equal the price of even the
> most expensive snap shackles, or several sets of
> pole straps, that you would need for your outfit to
> be safer.

Kathy Robertson


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