[drivingpairs] Re: questions on pair harness

In a message dated 2/21/2006 11:03:49 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
ecartis@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> From: "MARGARET TOWNSEND" <NAMGO@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: [drivingpairs] Questions on pair harness...
> Date: Tue, 21 Feb 2006 07:18:33 -0700
> 
> Hello, everyone-
>  I am still learning, learning, learning....about this multiples stuff(and 
> loving it, BTW!)
>  A few basic questions: what are 'full hames'? What other kind are there? 
> What kind/type of harness-and for that matter, type/build of horse-is 
> considered 'correct' put to a vis a vis? I have seen plenty of photos/TV 
> footage of 
> the city carriage horses, as in NYC-seems most are single drafts/draft 
> crosses, 
> and lots of the vehicles are vis a vis, or maybe, victorias?

Hi Margo,
Are ;you asking about what kinds of harness are good for Vis-a-vis for 
'commercial type work' or for pleasure showing?  I'm going to answer you from a 
'commercial' POV, as I worked commercial for almost 5 years in downtown 
Pasadena, 
CA. (Rose parade route), talk about crazy!!

.  Full hames are the type that you see on draft horses with the curves and 
balls (or thistles) coming up above the collar.  Carriage hames fit closely 
around the collar and don't stick up.

The correct harness for 'public work' is one that is comfortable to the horse 
most of all, and then 'showy' and glitzy to the public secondly.

For pulling a vis a vis, use a full  pulling collar that allows the load to 
be spread over the shoulders as these carriages get heavy in traffic and fully 
loaded with people.  You said that you like synthetic harness.  Its easy to 
clean and almost maintanance free.  Just be sure to use padding where there are 
pressure points (saddle / breeching), as the plastic can actually 'cook' the 
muscle tissue if too much heat builds up.  That's why you use padding to absorb 
the sweat and disapate the heat build up.   Foam pads are common, but not as 
good as old fashioned wool felt pads.  You also said that you wouldn't want to 
clean al the spots on your friend's harness.  Its a pain, but it looks so 
nice (to the public!).  use lots of metal polish, apply with a toothbrush, let 
sit a moment, and then scrub with the toothbrush, rinse off and polish with a 
cloth.  I cleaned and polished 5 SETS of draft spotted harness in exchange for 
engine work from my mechanic- and got tendonitis for my troubles!

Hope that answered some of your questions.

Trish Demers
Carpe Diem Farm
Hackneys & Sport Horses, training & lessons - driving, riding, sidesaddle, 
horsemanship
Lancaster, CA           carpediemfarm@xxxxxxx
Try hard, win humbly, lose gracefully, protest with dignity

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