Information on comparing harness types

[Robert MoonShadow]

Anybody know of a website or other source where I can find out about & compare the features of different types of harness? Preferrably w/ photos. I’m wanting to figure out the best type (style) of, as well as best material for, harness for working one (eventually two or more) standard-sized donkeys in a market-garden (truck farm) & some snigging of firewood logs in the woods. Also will be used to pull a cart/wagon (so I know it’ll need breeching :rolleyes: ).Thanks for your help.

[Carl Russell]

Work Horse Handbook, or Draft Horse Primer have good sections describing different harness types.

Carl

[Ira]

Farming with Horses by Steve Bowers is worth a look also.

[Robert MoonShadow]

I’ve just come across an opportunity to buy a driving harness (no collar); pretty fair shape, for about $100, that should fit my standard donkey… everything but the bit. I’m wondering: is this suitable for using for teaching him to pull a cultivator, small cart, etc.? Is it possible to add a collar or is that a bad idea? – that I should get a collar-type harness when I move up to that? Actually, the harness I’m referring to is on eBay, item #180321612044, if anyone felt up to checking it out & giving me their opinion(s) on whether this would work. Also, I’m not real fond of the idea of having blinders on it… can those be removed w/out destoying the bridle? Please include the reasons you have for your opinion –> strictly so that I can understand & learn. Thank you to any & all that can help me with this decision.

[Donn Hewes]

I am not much of an ebay guy. Never been there. Hopefully someone will take a look at the harness. That type of harness in general, would work for somethings and not for others. Just remember it was made for light work. As soon as you want to skid some fire wood it may not work as well for you or for the donk. As to taking blinders off two thoughts come to mind. First, on most bridles it is pretty easy to cut them of with out hurting the rest of the bridle. I have done it to some old bridles that were kind of junkers anyway. I wouldn’t do it to a good bridle until I knew the animal was going to work well with out them. Should be able to find a simple bridle for riding to try out. Second, you might look for an old thread here that debated some of the pros and cons of working without blinders. Just using my self as an example. I am an advocate for taking them off and admire anyone who is working with out them. Today all my animals are working in blinders. Let us know if you find that thread – questions, etc. Donn

[Robert MoonShadow]

Donn ~ Is that thread on blinders you mentioned here in ‘equipment’? I’ve checked just about every one but couldn’t find it… yet.
My thoughts on blinders so far: Based on the experiences I’ve had w/ my pack donkeys, I’d prefer that this donkey I’ll be training up be able to see as much as possible, and he’s totally untrained, so won’t have the experience of blinders to ‘unlearn’. Hey – with only 1 eye, myself, having that pair of eyes up front that has better peripheral vision on the right side has got to be a good thing! 😮 Donkeys aren’t prone to startling, if they can see things long enough in advance to think about the situation. So, a driving harness can be used for light ‘work’? For such as a walk-behind cultivator, disc harrow, etc? I’m not sure what the breakover point would be between ‘light’ and ‘heavy’ work in this regard -> how to tell BEFORE he’s injured or something breaks, if the work or draft is too much. Much of the equipment I’m going to try to be getting will be single-horse & walk-behind, mostly for cost & the fact I’ve only 1 donkey (for now). But I don’t want to sacrifice his well-being to save $$. More accurately; I WON’T sacrifice it. Are there any specific questions I should be asking of this seller about the harness? I’m mainly hoping to use it to train him up in & get a heavier harness when he’s trained, in shape, and I have a better idea of what’s needed. IF I can do so without undue risk to him, me or the equipment. Sorry for being so drawn out on this, but it’s important to me that I don’t make any unneccesary mistakes, especially since he’s the one that would suffer the consequences.

[Jean]

http://www.draftanimalpower.com/showthread.php?t=254 Here is the link for the blinder talk. It is under horses, second page.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Thanks, Jean

[Donn Hewes]

Nice work Jean – the link is cool. Robert, I am not an expert on the breast collar or it’s use. I will go out on a limb here and suggest you think of light work as a light load that rolls on wheels, see how easily that pulls. I would be fine if someone else suggested something different. It would probably work for somethings, but you might be happier looking for an auction or a sale for a pony sized harness. If you do be sure to buy a good collar that fits right. I often buy a brand new collar (if I don’t have the perfect fit) to go with one of my old harnesses when I am setting it up for a different horse. Donn

[Rod]

Here is a picture of our Donkeys with harnesses and collars re-size to fit page. Click on the image to expand it..[/IMG]

[Robert MoonShadow]

Rod – The photo is so large that I can’t see the front half of the donks (can’t see the collars) – I don’t see any horizontal scrollbar, either, so…. From what I DO see of the harness, it doesn’t look real heavy – but sturdy (buckles, stitching, etc.) Does it work good for farmwork or mainly for wagons, etc.? Who sells/makes them?
But I do like the coloring on that lighter donkey… on my computer, it looks almost the same color as an American Cream drafthorse.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Oh, hey, Rod – Is that your donkeys Sam & Blue in the photo gallery – and is that the harness?

[Rod]

Those are the same donkeys but different harnesses. Those were pony harnesses which I no longer have. The new pictures are of VERY sturdy “D” ring harnesses. They were custom made by a harness maker (since retired) for Sam and Blue. The harness material is nylon, not that heavy in weight but strong, has collars and would pull anything that a donkey was capable of pulling. It’s easy to put on and when properly adjusted takes the pole weight off the donkeys neck which helps a lot with these smaller animals.

[Rod]

Check out this site for a good discussion of donkey harnessing. http://www.atnesa.org/donkeys/Donkeys2-Dibbits-Donkeycarts.pdf

[Robert MoonShadow]

Rod; I can never get that site to work right for me… I’ve followed your link here & other postings, when I try to use the scroll bar, it jumps about 3 pages ahead or back…:mad: Thanks for trying to help, though! 🙂

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