Drop Heart on Team Lines Hang Up!

[Demented Donkey Dame]

I’ve had an interesting problem that last two times out with a team I’ve been driving. One just completed his 95th hitch and the other one his 12th hitch (yes, silly me I do keep track). Anyway the line drop on the team lines hooked itself over the buckle on the line next to the bit. I have never heard of this happening but…… it will!
It happened on the more experienced one and he did not panic, we were 1/2 mile from home.
There are only two inches difference in height between these two and they are starting to work well together. When it happened yesterday I was training them to fan for the first time.
I wrapped the ring on the heart with electrical tape so it can’t slide over the buckle. It seems to be the only thing I can figure out to do. Any ideas? Has anyone heard of this happening before? I have heard of the coupling lines getting hung up in the collar ring which happened to me this spring but not this.

[near horse]

Hi Kristi,

I’ve not had that happen either but also don’t have a “heart drop”. How small is the ring on it? I’m a cheap SOB and end up using an old snaffle bit (rings are pretty big so I don’t see it ever getting caught on the buckle as you saw).

Just thinking – you might be able to rig one of those slobber discs to go on your lines near the buckle.

Hope you’re still up for the playday – now being advertised as “Moonshadow’s Mule Madness and Mayhem”, although other draft animals are also welcome.:eek:

[jac]

I use a bull nose ring for that job and so far so good.. keep a couple for harness repair if a steel ring gives out. Luckily only had to use it once in 25 years though…
John

[Big Horses]

I just had a plain ring hook over the hook on the front of the tug on our show harness a couple weeks ago…. not only once, but 3 times during the night. First time ever for that one… We’re going to a “heart drop” ring….. I guess if it’s not one thing, it’s something else!! haha
John

[Robert MoonShadow]

@near horse 27873 wrote:

Hi Kristi,

I’ve not had that happen either but also don’t have a “heart drop”. How small is the ring on it? I’m a cheap SOB and end up using an old snaffle bit (rings are pretty big so I don’t see it ever getting caught on the buckle as you saw).

Just thinking – you might be able to rig one of those slobber discs to go on your lines near the buckle.

Hope you’re still up for the playday – now being advertised as “Moonshadow’s Mule Madness and Mayhem”, although other draft animals are also welcome.:eek:

Now if we can just find a span of oxen to come along….

[Demented Donkey Dame]

Lots of great responses… thanks everyone! The ring is probably 3 inches and I’ve used it for the seven years I’ve been driving with no problems. I think what I’ll do is to wrap the buckle where it caught in black electrical tape on the donkey/team that it happened on. Then pay close attention to see if it looks like it is going to happen again.

John, I think going to the heart ring is a good idea. I have seen others who just drive with a ring as they don’t care for the heart weight bouncing off the lines. WOW hanging up three times is just not good!!

quote: Hope you’re still up for the playday – now being advertised as “Moonshadow’s Mule Madness and Mayhem”, although other draft animals are also welcome

Absolutely! Am hoping to bring all four down to do four abreast play, sounds like too much fun!

I have three days of parades ahead of me starting today. It’s Idaho’s oldest Rodeo and this year is the 100th celebration so it’s a biggie! Better get to rollin’… like no more time to waste… have a great fourth everyone!

[Author]

Posts