Collar measurements…

[Thecowboysgirl]

Okay I measured them both.

Duke is 20.25 top to bottom, 8 wide at base of his neck and 6 5/8 at top of neck.

Daisy is 18.5 top to bottom, 9.25 w at base, 7.25 wide at top.

What collar sizes would you folks recommend I order. She, obviously, is short but her neck is very thick. Does 18.5 warrant a size 19 collar?

Does anyone have good luck with the adjustables?

[grey]

9.25 is much wider than you’re going to find in a new 19″ collar off the shelf. I would definitely get a collar shop involved.

Best thing to do would be to call or write your collar-maker of choice and send these measurements. They will be able to measure their own collars and figure out if the proportions of their 19 will work for you. Collars are hand-made and each shop uses its own forms/molds. I’m guessing that My Draft Horse does not make their own collar but instead re-sells another manufacturer’s collars. You might find out whose collars they are selling and then see if you can contact the maker.

[Thecowboysgirl]

Would an adjustable collar give her any leeway in the width? Or only height from top to bottom?

Grey, do you or anyone have a collar maker of choice? (that will ship long distance)?

I am thinking I could order the harness from this website and the collars from somewhere else.

[grey]

Adjustable collars only adjust the length/height of the collar, top to bottom. For the wider-necked pony you are probably going to have to re-shape an off-the-rack collar. A block of wood placed between the sides of the collar will help hasten the breaking-in/reshaping process. I usually do this with new collars anyhow. I try to not work my horses too hard in a new collar because, like new shoes, they need time to conform to the wearer. A new collar usually doesn’t fit quite right and has to break-in and mold to the horse. A new collar for me usually means some relaxing wagon miles are in my future.

I like Badger and Coblentz, myself, but there are many others that are just fine. Lots of Brodhead collars in use these days.

I don’t have contact info for Badger… maybe someone can find it for you in an older issue of Rural Heritage. They are Plain Folk and do not even have a message phone as far as I know. You will have to write them.

Coblentz Collar Shop, on the other hand, is 330-893-3858.

[Lanny Collins]

I had just regular buggy collars for my quarter horse mares. Last year I had to order a larger size for one of my mares. I ordered one that was 1″ longer but her neck was much thicker, probably had gained some weight. Anyway, on collars I ordered a half sweeney which is made for a thicker neck. the next size wider would be a full sweeney. Best to locate a collar shop and as suggested before to give them measurements. Easiest way to measure size for collar is take 2ea carpentry squares and lay them so that you have a square around the horses neck while they are sitting back against the shoulders like a collar will fit. With 2 people it is easier to measure the length and width or put a chalk mark on the squares so you can read them once they are removed.

[Donn Hewes]

At first glance an adjustable collar only makes a collar longer or shorter. But to some degree that can be useful when shaping a collar to make it wider. To make collar wider, start with one that is a little too long, then adjust the hames shorter with a corresponding longer strap. The collar is forced to adapt to the shorter hames and longer strap by being squished a little. Making it wider. To some degree you can control whether it is wider at the top or the bottom by which strap you let out. As you can see the adjustable collar just gives you more options; make it longer to make it wider.

[Thecowboysgirl]

My husband and I did measure them with carpenter’s squares, so I feel pretty sure we got a good measurement. Only problem being that they might change shape (the ponies).

Okay, so thanks a lot everyone for input. I am not going to order collars from that first website, I am going to find a collar shop who can give me a more specific fit.

I still personally like the idea of the adjustable collar…but maybe will also wait to hear what the collar shop folks say.

[Rod44]

Always had trouble fitting my Haflingers with collars. They have thick necks and are too fat. Plus I try to take some weight off of them and then the collar does not fit again. So, I went to adjustable collars and they are great. They are a bit wider at the top than other collars which gives a little more room. When I am not using them I form them to be wider. Put the bottom of the collar on the floor and push down on it to widen it. Have a piece of wood screwed onto the post that the collar fits under to hold it in place.

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