[drivingpairs] Re: water hook?

So you're referring to the rein hook as the "water hook"?
I don't think that it is vestigial at all as most driving harness 
(unless not allowed by ADS rules in ADS approved shows) comes with 
either an overcheck or side check and (as mentioned before not allowed 
by ADS rules) is commonly used outside ADS driving events.  Many people 
find the check to be something that is extra (like all those extra bolts 
and nuts Father finds on the floor at Christmas time) and just leave it 
in the barn never understanding the purpose.   Most certainly in work 
horse harness checks are more than common.  A rein hook is the point at 
which the check rein (thus the name rein hook) is attached.  I  searched 
my cataloges today and could find no "water hook" but did find rein hooks. 
Rather than using the rein hook/water hook to center my saddle/backpad 
on my horse I actually use it to attach the check rein which aids in 
holding my horses head at a level (or higher) position.  I've noticed in 
my attending carriage driving events the past few years that whips 
(drivers) commonly allow their horses to graze while hitched (put to).  
That's a very dangerous position for a horse to have  it's head.  Of 
course my very first response was to question why anybody would allow 
their horse to place it's head in the very position needed to buck.  
Maybe if we could educate these people as to the purpose of that hook 
and the check reins that go with it then this potential danger would 
heal itself.  Overcheck reins are not allowed in ADS events but side 
checks are.  Even if they weren't there's nothing that says they can't 
be used at home as a training tool. 
In work horse driving the bits and snaps used in the bridle can become 
entangled in various other parts of the harness if the horse is allowed 
to lower it's head therefore checks are more common than in fine harness 
situations.
I can see where the name "water hook" could be assigned to the rein hook 
but again if the check rein is taken off the "water hook" and the horse 
is allowed to drink with the bit in it's mouth then the horse will suck 
air and get gas.  I think it would be better to remove the bridle before 
the animal is allowed to drink to prevent the possibility of colic.
I've had this discussion several times since I've been around carriage 
driving.  It is amazing how parts of harness/carriages/wagons/etc. 
develope such names for different venues as well as different areas of 
the country.  Thank you Nancy for adding another exotic name to my list.
Ken

Nancy Wright wrote:

>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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