[drivingpairs] Re: Measuring Pole and Yoke
- From: dogsnponies@xxxxxx
- To: drivingpairs@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Wed, 26 Feb 2003 20:56:47 -0500
I knew there was more to it than looking at a chart. Please thank your
husband for me. And thanks to you for putting it all in writing!
Tracey
kathy robertson <goodhors@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>I talked to my husband about how he figured his length
>on poles. He doesn't like a formula with marathon
>vehicles, since front end attachments are so varied.
> He starts with vehicle and horse size. Some
>vehicles allow horses to be more closely attached to
>vehicle because the hind legs will go under the
>vehicle when they trot out. Other vehicles will not
>allow close hitching, because of low evener, splinter
>bar, pole attachment or single tree attachment. Some
>vehicles are too narrow for THIS PARTICULAR PAIR of
>horses to be hitched close, since legs will hit the
>wheels when trotting out. Other smaller pairs might
>be much closer.
> He stands one of the pair in front of vehicle, lifts
>and extends hind leg out behind, as far as possible,
>like when doing big trot, canter. How far does hoof
>go? Is it possible to catch the foot on wheel? or any
>other low hardware? Move horse forward, try extension
>of leg until there is no chance of him being able to
>clip anything of vehicle with hind leg. Measure
>length to chest, mark it in the dirt. Write it down
>too. Mark where hoofs were best fit, in dirt. Bring
>out the other pair horse and do the same thing. Start
>with first horse marks. Some horses are more athletic
>than partner, so both must be checked. Go with the
>biggest moving horse for length. Pole extends about
>3" past the harnessed horse's chest. Thick
>breastcollars are part of the equation.
> Yoke length is measured from center of chest on both
>horses. Horses are standing beside pole, with barrel,
>just touching pole. Again, go with the bigger horse
>chest, so yoke is centered on pole. Our yoke has snap
>shackles on each end. This will allow about 4" play
>between chest ring and yoke end. Tieing the horses in
>tight to pole, (using a too short yoke, pole head on a
>too short pole) makes horses automatically pull away
>from pole. Side pull affects their balance. Horses
>and driver are already in conflict, and you have not
>even moved. Driver should be able to adjust reins to
>make horses move closer or further away from pole,
>without tieing them in.
>Yoke fitting goes into the end of pole. Allows yoke
>to swivel, forward and back, up and down. This will
>allow horses to fold the yoke making whole pair
>narrower for hazards. Horses get closer together on
>pole as they go around turns. Streamlines everything.
>
>Our poles are also adjustable, but usually left at
>working length. Might be extended for a new horse
>being started, never shortened from working length.
>Our horses are all very similar in size and reach, so
>we don't have a fitting problem, even changing horses
>around. Might tighten traces a hole, so less play in
>harness, for hazard practice or for marathon. Want
>vehicle to respond to horse movement quicker, than
>when jogging down the trail. We practice everything
>at working length on pole. Changing major stuff, like
>turnout length, for a competition, doesn't work for
>us. We want to practice just like how we plan to go.
>No surprises for horses. All of our previous practice
>has made driver attuned to length, turning radius,
>capabilities of complete turnout, in the back of
>driver mind. Leaves the faster thinking brain part to
>note immediate needs and put the whole picture
>together for action. Changing parts of the equation
>of turnout at the last second, makes you have to
>REALLY calculate, and you don't have enough time in a
>hazard. It has to be automatic response, from many
>previous practices.
>
>Kathy Robertson
>
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