[drivingpairs] Re: water hook?

I believe I can provide some daylight on this one, Ken.
The overcheck was attached to the saddle of a carriage harness by means of a 
simple hardware hook. The leather billet-and-buckle assembly of an overcheck 
was released from the saddle to allow the horse to lower its head to drink. 
Hence the name "water hook."

On our modern-day carriage harnesses, the water hook is rather "vestigial." It 
is most often used as an indicator of the alignment of the harness saddle side 
to side.

As overchecks -- and sidechecks -- are verboten in most applications, the water 
hook is put to its original function only in rare instances, e.g., the correct 
turnout of a gentleman's gig.

Be well.

Nancy Wright
TIRED FELLOE FARM
Boyd, Texas


----- Original Message ----- 
Subject: [drivingpairs] water hook?


> A new one on me!  Can someone explain to me what a water hook is, and 
> why it is called a water hook?
> Ken
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