[drivingpairs] Re: Tandem Bars Are Better

Kathy do you use a neck collar on your wheeler and are your leader traces
made the same length as your wheeler traces?? Is it harder to keep the
leader out of draft is they are closer to the wheeler?

Ansley
----- Original Message -----
From: kathy robertson <goodhors@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <drivingpairs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, May 12, 2003 2:37 PM
Subject: [drivingpairs] Tandem Bars Are Better


>
> Just thought I would bring Tandem Bars instead of
> Tandem Keys to the attention of potential Tandem
> drivers.
>
> We quit using the tandem keys because the bars were
> such a superior way to attach the leader.  With the
> bars, leader can do his turns, aid in pulling, without
> interfering with the leader.  We were able to use
> shorter leader traces, get much better turns, with
> leader out of draft, and no possibilty of leg over the
> trace.  Even when leader might get in draft by
> accident turning, with the bars, there is much less
> chance of pulling the wheeler over.  No chance of
> sweeping wheeler  front legs out from under him, as
> with with leader trace attached at his short tug.
>
> We have done CDE with the leader bars and a lot of
> road, picnic driving.  Not just a show ring Tandem.
> The single pivot point of the leader bar in front of
> wheeler, really frees up the leader for moving and
> sharp turns that are often needed in CDE driving.  We
> also commit the  MAJOR SIN of Tandem Driving, MAKING
> THE LEADER WORK!!!  In CDE, the wheeler is working a
> pretty heavy load, so we let leader help by pulling on
> the hills and long straight-aways.  Take the wheeler
> out of draft!   The way the bars are attached to
> wheeler breastcollar chest, leader pull is centered on
> wheeler chest center, and force then goes to wheeler
> traces for long, straight-pull, forward.
>  Wheeler catches his breath, rests for curves,
> downhills, where only he can work.  Pretty nice when
> both horses have the same P&R, temps, at Vet check!
>
> All the people I know using Tandem leader bars, have
> made their own.  Jay had some pictures posted a while
> ago.  The Tjeerd Velsta book shows some nice leader
> bars and the chest attachment system Mr. Velstra uses.
>  We copied his system for our Tandem.
>
> There are some down sides to using Tandem keys, like
> the extremely long leader traces needed.  All the
> hipstrap hangers are not going to keep the traces out
> of the way on square 90* corners.  We tried them, she
> still stuck her leg over traces.  Wheeler got in
> leader trace once!  I would not recommend the bungie
> cord method, though others use it.  I think bungie
> would be a big no-no for Presentation too!  The length
> added ahead, by the bars was enough to keep shorter
> leader traces and still be far enough from wheeler.
>   The key or loop attachment of cock-eye leader traces
> at the wheeler's trace buckle, makes front end of
> wheeler fall in control of leader's trace tightness.
> A leader trace pulling around the corner, forces
> wheeler to turn as well, on a smaller curve than may
> have been planned.
> A leader pulling fast and hard, will just pull the
> wheeler over sideways, whether he wants to go or not!!
> A superb leader who never tightens the traces would be
> super, but Tandems move FAST!  Stuff happens in the
> blink of an eye, or less!  Doesn't take much sideways
> pull from leader, to put your carriage on a post.
> Wheeler can't hold leader off.  Leader bars, have
> leader traces even, with equal tension, no big
> hanging, extra loops on curves and corners.  Bars have
> different pulling location, chest, which changes
> leader pull effect on turns.
>
> Just thought folks would like this other option to
> consider.  Tandem keys are not really expensive, nor
> is making a set of leader bars.  Little more harness
> work for attaching leader bars to wheeler.  I think
> the plus sides of Tandem leader bars, really out
> weighs the less work of Tandem Key attachments and
> their minus points.
>
> Kathy Robertson
>
>
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