D-Ring Neck Yoke Dimensions?

We just buy them from the Amish in widths of 46 and 48 inch double tree and beast yoke combination. We buy the whiffle trees to be 28 inch wide each to keep the front side strap from wearing the hide off the top of the horses forearm.

These breast yokes are round tube steel 1-1/2 ” and the whiffle trees 1 ” – and tough. We get them through Log Cabin Sales, PA. The double tree is channel or square tubing Dale Stolfus (sp.) sells them.

Spreading them further apart helps eliminate tongue slap on the two wheeled arch using the d – ring harness adjusted properly. It also keeps the team cooler in hot weather and still makes them slightly wider than the arch which helps keep the arch from hanging on saplings and trees in the course of skidding.

Putting the yoke under the pole would work.

Also shortening the pole over-all as well. You only need a couple of heel links at the evener.

The linkage between the singletree and evener on the yoke can be shortened sometimes.

Are your front hold-backs short?

I don’t mean to second guess your harnessing, but if the D-ring is down too low that can also complicate pole height. 90* off the hame should be good unless the front trace is too long, which is often the case. I have had to get my traces custom-made for years to get the D-ring up where it should be. Don’t ask me the right length, these types of figures go in one side of my head and out the other, but I’ll put a tape on it tomorrow.

My spread chain neck yoke should be noticeable on at least one photo on the gallery. One photo comes to mind, of the team pulling loaded scoot uphill. I can’t load one right now as I am still without modem and working on Lisa’s computer.

Carl

22″ from bolt to ring on my horses (16.2H) puts the D-ring in a place that can have good effect on the lifting of the pole. If it is down too low on the horse the pole will not ride high enough, even with the correct tension between neck-yoke and evener. I know this doesn’t have to do directly with your question, but it may have importance in answering it. I found with harnesses that I have looked at, and even with traces that I have ordered, that most harness makers make the front trace too long. Walt Bryan clued me into this many years ago, he used to cut the swivel clips off standard traces to shorten them, and just ran the hame bolt through where the clip had been. Then I started getting mine made by some local leather worker, leather outers with three layers of seat belt nylon looped on the inside. Wear great and don’t break. $150 a pair? or something like that (those numbers, whoosh!)Carl

No book, but there is a video. You can get it through Berry Brook Ox Supply, or New England Ox Supply (contact info in “Organization” category at the bottom of the index page.

I’ve been in contact with Les to use one of NEAPFD workshop slots to review the video. I think it will be a great way to go over all the details, because it is very well organized, and the live animal demonstration, while an excellent example opportunity, tends to get distracted, and not everyone can hear/see/etc.

I have a copy of the video, but someday we should put out a pamphlet or some such so that you can take it to the barn, field, or woods, like the stained and tattered “Work Horse Handbook” in my collection.

Have fun out there, Carl

p.s. Can you see what I mean about the length of the front trace? Even at 90*, if the front trace is 24″-28″, then the D-ring will be positioned way down by the belly. I know that it can seem disruptive to have to find a solution like trace lengths, especially if the current ones are in good shape, but in the long run it will be much more effective. It’s just indicative of the misconceptions in conventional thinking about the D-ring harness. It is based on sound mechanical and physical principles,which when adhered to, offer comfort and functionality to the working horse surpassing any other harnessing system.

Anyone is welcome to call, and visit Les Barden in Farmington, NH. He is open, friendly, and serious about the use of animal power. Any conversation with him will be well worth the effort, and a visit to his farm will set goals that you have been trying to envision for years.
Les Barden’s phone #603-332-0082

[ATTACH]I drew a sketch of the neck yoke.jpg” /> Carl

Would you be interested in locating an Amish harness maker? There is one down here that will do mail order. I could check on prices and shipping charges if you were interested.