Collar Fit

[jen judkins]

I think the discussion of collar fit and why it is important is a valuable one. I’m attaching photos of a very well used collar on my 2 year old Belgian, Peanut. To be very clear, I AM asking if you think it fits. I don’t know, so you can’t hurt my feelings.

I have not wanted to buy a new collar for Peanut as he is so young and likely to grow significantly before he does any heavy work, but I have wanted to play around with one and get him used to wearing one. At NEAPFD, one of the logging teamsters, loaned me this collar after not selling it in the swap meet, suggesting that it might be helpful in getting an idea of what size collar Peanut might wear. This collar measures out at 24 inches. I don’t have hames for it, so it is pictured sans harness. Thanks for any opinion. BTW, I think that due to its condition, it would have to be worn with the pad…perhaps I am wrong. Jennifer.

PS. You can click on the photos to make them larger.

[Carl Russell]

Excellent pix Jenn,
The collar appears to fit very well with the pad. In truth, tight is better than loose.

I have always used collar pads, mostly to extend the life of the collar, but I know those who never use them. Of more concern is whether the structure of the collar can live up to the strain of work. It looks good enough for this exercise, I didn’t get a chance to appraise it in the sale. I especially like the duct tape. It’ll look like you’ve been at it for years.

Your initiative is great, as like everything else with training, if you wait till the last minute, you have an obstacle, whereas starting long before necessary, when you need the horse, he will not know any different.

I know it is hard to justify expenses for equipment that will be grown out of, but good equipment well-maintained will retain its value, and will be much more valuable to you if you want to start exposing Peanut to real work. He’s certainly big enough.

Thanks for starting this thread, Carl

[Gooserun Farm]

Nice looking horse. If you need a set of hames for that we probably have some kicking around in the barn to fit. We have a bunch of parts and pieces of old harnesses. Might be some the right size if you don’t mind scratches and nicks. 🙂

[Neil Dimmock]

Its a little long but the pad helps, does it rock back and forth or lay flat on the shoulder? it looks like it has been broke at the bottom and if it has chuck it. to pick a new collar, start by looking at the neck up high and see if they have a large muscle about a third of the way up, if there is you’ll need a half to full sweeny collar, if not and there is a long flat surface faceing some what forward the whole way to the top, that a flat shoulder and you’ll need a full face collar, here a video I did a while a go it might help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU2FftmwWMM

the pad is to short but it works for this mare, a longer one wrinkled a the the bend at the bottom,
but they should be 2″ longer than the collar
Neil

[Dubba]

I too like it better with the pad, but I also would like to see it under load. One of my horses always seems loose on the collar until he leans into it, then it looks good.

On a side note I have an old pair of pulling hames that would fit right in with that seasoned collar. They are ~23-25″ depending on the ratchet setting. They are not pretty. If you want them they are yours. We just have to figure out how to get them to you. BOL

[jen judkins]

Thanks for the feedback, Carl and Neil. I feel quite lucky to have picked up a reasonable fit by chance. You know what they say, ‘better lucky than smart’ Anyway, though the collar is in better shape than it appears (the duct tape appears to be simply reinforcing a tear in the skirting), I would not do any serious pulling with it. I hear you on the value of getting good quality equipment for the long haul, Carl and I will. I was just overwhelmed by getting the right fit. So even if I chuck this collar, it has served a valuable service already.

Neil, the video was very helpful. I’m gonna take some photos of Peanut’s neck later. Maybe you can help me decide what shape he is. Is the shape something that changes, as they develope and work more? I’ll also check the collar like you describe in your video for rocking, etc. The tip about flipping the collar around to get over a big head was helpful as well. Thanks.

Josh, If ever a set of hames was made for this collar, you have them, lol! Believe it or not Paul wants this collar back at some point! Next time I’m down your way, I’ll call you and check them out.

Gooserun, Thanks for the offer too. I’ll keep that in mind down the road.

Jennifer.

[jen judkins]

OK, Neil. I measured Peanut and the collar as per your video instructions and both measure out at 24 inches. No rocking. But I still can’t figure out the neck shape. Pictures below. I suspect his neck is of the flat type at this point, but might change as he gets older/fitter/etc. Thanks for any feedback. Jennifer.

[Marchand]

@Neil Dimmock 2885 wrote:

Its a little long but the pad helps, does it rock back and forth or lay flat on the shoulder? it looks like it has been broke at the bottom and if it has chuck it. to pick a new collar, start by looking at the neck up high and see if they have a large muscle about a third of the way up, if there is you’ll need a half to full sweeny collar, if not and there is a long flat surface faceing some what forward the whole way to the top, that a flat shoulder and you’ll need a full face collar, here a video I did a while a go it might help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XU2FftmwWMM

the pad is to short but it works for this mare, a longer one wrinkled a the the bend at the bottom,
but they should be 2″ longer than the collar
Neil

---

Aight, Cuz’n Neil,….I know us is double-time’n…& parlor-skill violate’n…but…since I been U-tube’n…widja’…I’ve chap’d 3-r-4 ponies…All on the Bottom…Collar Neck-portions…been play’n pad-dis & pad-dat…& try’d all sizes of collars….Why am’s we chap’n on the Throat???…& Bless your Big O’ Heart…….

Ooooooooooh…I’m an old man….but I stand up & lay th’ lines to ’em…love the Wind….walk’n’s for Pedestrians….on sidewalks or whatever….I gets Some Big Air…Sapplin-Straddlin, etc….on the way to Work…yeah, right……..

[Neil Dimmock]

@jenjudkins 2892 wrote:

OK, Neil. I measured Peanut and the collar as per your video instructions and both measure out at 24 inches. No rocking. But I still can’t figure out the neck shape. Pictures below. I suspect his neck is of the flat type at this point, but might change as he gets older/fitter/etc. Thanks for any feedback. Jennifer.

They appear to be half sweeney, there is a small swell or muscle about the one third mark and a full face might push in on that and sore them there, I must say what a nice clean shoulder, no white marks or scars, I hope I can help you keep them that way!
and you welcome!!
Neil

[Neil Dimmock]

@Marchand 2894 wrote:

---

Aight, Cuz’n Neil,….I know us is double-time’n…& parlor-skill violate’n…but…since I been U-tube’n…widja’…I’ve chap’d 3-r-4 ponies…All on the Bottom…Collar Neck-portions…been play’n pad-dis & pad-dat…& try’d all sizes of collars….Why am’s we chap’n on the Throat???…& Bless your Big O’ Heart…….

Ooooooooooh…I’m an old man….but I stand up & lay th’ lines to ’em…love the Wind….walk’n’s for Pedestrians….on sidewalks or whatever….I gets Some Big Air…Sapplin-Straddlin, etc….on the way to Work…yeah, right……..

It took a couple of runs at it but I think I go it!! if you are having trouble with scalding the shoulder down low, kind of like a wrinkled smile, two things are happening, 1, hot soft skin. 2 over heated and wet shoulders! you can work your horses a little easier until they callous, not easy to do. or if you like go get a pare of vinyl pads, here’s a link, http://www.aaronmartin.com/product.php?cat_id=206&catview=34&submit=View , they will heal a sore shoulder while you work the horse, they sure don’t look like they work but they sure do, i use them on all my teams now, after all I have 18 teams and not all there shoulders can be toughened up to work hard on hot days and since I have switched to these I have no more scalds period, hope this helps
ps I hit spell check and it all most fried out trying to decider you post my man!! hows life??
Neil

[jen judkins]

OK, so it looks like I am looking for a 24 inch half sweeney collar….cool! Thanks, Neil!

So another question (or two)…When looking at hames for the collar….are there the same differences in shape in regard to the neck shape? Do you get 24 inch hames for a 24 inch collar?

Jennifer.

[Neil Dimmock]

No go bigger hames, they will fit the collar, try 25″ or 26″ hames on a 24″ collar some dont like how a 26″ sticks up a little so the forgo the fit and use a 24″. most newer hames are bent out more than the older style right at the sweeney and with a new collar there sh old be more than enuff room! there are some special order hames but your horses dont warrant them!!
Neil

[Marchand]

@Neil Dimmock 2899 wrote:

It took a couple of runs at it but I think I go it!! if you are having trouble with scalding the shoulder down low, kind of like a wrinkled smile, two things are happening, 1, hot soft skin. 2 over heated and wet shoulders! you can work your horses a little easier until they callous, not easy to do. or if you like go get a pare of vinyl pads, here’s a link, http://www.aaronmartin.com/product.php?cat_id=206&catview=34&submit=View , they will heal a sore shoulder while you work the horse, they sure don’t look like they work but they sure do, i use them on all my teams now, after all I have 18 teams and not all there shoulders can be toughened up to work hard on hot days and since I have switched to these I have no more scalds period, hope this helps
ps I hit spell check and it all most fried out trying to decider you post my man!! hows life??
Neil

Good call…the throat chafe’n is just with that one collar…not bad…just puffy & tender in the morn’n…with a little dandruff…it’s from much heat & work…never done it before even when 100-hot…
problem is Absorbant pad…My gear stays wet from country scenery….couldn’t wait to find the canadian money to order from Martin’s…took a 1/2″ firm foam camp’n pad from Wally’s China-Mart…& cut a collar pad…cost $6 amerikan…to cut 2…yeah….that’s higher’n a cat’s azz….but ya’ can’t let money stand in the way of pass’n a good time…the pads are blue & way-2-Gay for me …but had Butts in seats & tracks to make….
Makes Sense..I only use..Neoprene girths are slick & don’t chafe, don’t stay wet or absorb….
Sho’ sux about yo’ house fire, Neil….if you’s closer, I’d a-been there grill’n some road-kill for ya’ll before th’ embers died…& go-2 drive’n nails…..

[Neil Dimmock]

Thanks dude! but we will get by, that’s what us country folk do is get by,
Let me know how you make out with them pads. Mine are a manly black. I hope you dant draw to much unwhanted atention with those (BLUE) pads, HE HE,
Neil

[Ira]

@jenjudkins 2907 wrote:

OK, so it looks like I am looking for a 24 inch half sweeney collar….cool! Thanks, Neil!

So another question (or two)…When looking at hames for the collar….are there the same differences in shape in regard to the neck shape? Do you get 24 inch hames for a 24 inch collar?

Jennifer.

The rule of thumb is to have your hames 2 inches longer than the collar.
24in. collar needs 26in. hames.
Hames are measured from the bottom hame loop to the top adjustment notch in a straight line.

[Author]

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