Harness fitting? Pics, questions and more!

[Nojacketrequired]

Hello, all....I purchased this Smuckers harness second hand, and am hoping it fits and/or can be adjusted to fit. I'd appreciate any hints/tips/opinions on the fit.

This horse has never had a harness on before, although she is well trained for dressage under saddle, so she didn't balk at any of the dangling stuff, which is great. I didn't put the crupper on, as I thought that will wait until we find out if this actually will fit, and then start that work. I also had to tie up the traces, as they don't come off.

The bridle will have to wait of course, as it's a blind bridle and she's never had it on before...lots of time for that.

So...here is the saddle and breastcollar
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/beautifulbrowbands/DSC02132.jpg
Is the breastcollar low enough...it can go down another hole.

Here she is from the side looking back...
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/beautifulbrowbands/DSC02135.jpg

Here is the breeching, etc....crupper not put on.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/beautifulbrowbands/DSC02137.jpg
Are the hangers in the right place, or too far back?

The crupper may need to be lengthened a hole once we do introduce it, but there is lots of space.

Here's a back view...as you can see she's not too worried about anything....
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/beautifulbrowbands/DSC02133.jpg

Are things hanging properly?

Of course, I will have a real human see it in person before we ever do anything with the actual harness, but I just want to know if it fits in general?

I'm wondering if the breastcollar fit is a little funky, and may need the breastcollar hanger moved back?
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/beautifulbrowbands/DSC02138.jpg

And, just for fun, here is the road cart I bought...of course many months from being used, but by measurements, it should work.
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a15/beautifulbrowbands/DSC02149.jpg

Next step will be ground driving....What do I do with the traces to get them out of the way for that?

Thanks, NJR

[Thomas_1]

The wither strap is too far forward. It needs to be on the withers... erm put like that, it's a little obvious ;) However you don't have sufficient adjustment in the wither strap.

Breast collar looks too high. It looks as if it's on the horses windpipe/gullet. Needs to be clear of that. Concerned about the fact that the wither strap is too short to better adjust.

The saddle is also too far back. Needs to be a hand clear of the withers.

The breeching itself is sitting in the correct position round the horse's rump. But it's too small. The ring should be at the horse's stifle. The loin strap needs to over the point of his loin. It's too far back as it is.

You've not a cat in hell's chance of getting the crupper to fit because the back strap is too short.

Same as with riding tack, you should never ever use the last hole. There doesn't seem to be enough space to punch in an extra one and altogether it's looking too small.

I'd strongly recommend you get a back rest on the cart.

[goeslikestink]

that harness is way to short and to small for said horse as its all in the wrong position
that much i do know in my rusty dusty self

[Nojacketrequired]

Crap...I was afraid of that. WHen I bought it I went by the saddle and bridle measurements...both of which fit, but the other pieces don't.

There is space to open things up here and there, and I noticed the back strap would need lengthening for sure. I also have another wither strap so I'll see if that one will do. If the breeching was to be put in the lower holes, would that be better?

When I was there trying this out, I kept comparing things to the book I have (Doris Granton), and they seemed close...obviously a more experienced eye than mine is required.

Is it ever best to get the harness you have adjusted by a harness maker? Or is it usually more cost effective to just sell a good brand like this...Smuckers with beautiful leather...and buy another (cheaper) one?

I will get a back rest when I decide if I am keeping the cart. I've already priced them when the carriage maker looked the cart over.

Other ideas/opinions welcome.

NJR

[China Doll]

I think the pad looks too narrow for that cart. It looks like it is more for a lieght weight sulky.

[nightmoves]

The wither strap is too far forward. It needs to be on the withers... erm put like that, it's a little obvious ;) However you don't have sufficient adjustment in the wither strap.

Breast collar looks too high. It looks as if it's on the horses windpipe/gullet. Needs to be clear of that. Concerned about the fact that the wither strap is too short to better adjust.

The saddle is also too far back. Needs to be a hand clear of the withers.

The breeching itself is sitting in the correct position round the horse's rump. But it's too small. The ring should be at the horse's stifle. The loin strap needs to over the point of his loin. It's too far back as it is.

You've not a cat in hell's chance of getting the crupper to fit because the back strap is too short.

Same as with riding tack, you should never ever use the last hole. There doesn't seem to be enough space to punch in an extra one and altogether it's looking too small.

I'd strongly recommend you get a back rest on the cart. Great information in this thread.

[Drive NJ]

If your harness is in good condition, you can get some new pieces to make it fit more correctly
The pieces you really need are a new and longer back strap and a new neck strap (wither strap)
You should be able to get replacements from any good harness maker - just be sure to specify length and type of buckle (color etc)

You also want to check the padding on your saddle to make sure there is enough so the terret bolts dont poke the horse thru the padding
IF the padding is too thin then you really just want to replace the whole harness and get one that fits. The saddle is an expensive part of the harness to replace

I think some of why the breast collar is fitting funny is that the neck strap is tto short and since its a single strap (not split strap) it pivots when you pull the traces up over the horses back

You should be able to use this harness fine for ground driving

you can stabilize the breeching by attaching the straps to the tug loops (may need to add some baling twine)
attaching the breeching forward gets the horse used to the feel of the breeching moving across their butt

One thing I have see done with attached traces (I have buckle in) is to slip the strace slots onto the tab end of the back strap -THEN run the tab thru the last few keepers to hold it all in place (up over the butt)
Ive also seen people fold the trace back on itself (to the saddle girth) then loop it into a big knot and attach to the breeching straps to hold


Best of luck

[Trakehner]

Way too narrow a saddle for a cart.