Light horse collar size

[Pebbles]

I’m hoping you can reassure me as far as a collar size. I am new to driving. Have been working with my quarter horse gelding for about 5 weeks. He is doing awesome, really seems to enjoy himself. I have a breast collar harness set-up and need to get him a collar for the skid. I have used a variety of measuring techniques and all seem to say I need a 21″ collar. His neck is 9″ wide when measuring side to side. He is a 15.5 hand 1200LB very muscular quarter horse. He was not gelded until he was 10 years old so he retained big jowls, neck and crest.

I am in AZ and have no local people so I am going to order on line from someone who will exchange the collar if it is incorrect. I think I need to order a 20″-22″ adjustable half-sweeney 9″ across the inside widest part of the collar. Hames should be 23″. Pad should be 23″ also. I am concerned I am not measuring high enough above the withers and this might be too big. Any advice as to what a light horse generally wears would be helpful.

Thank you so much for your advice!!!

[LStone]

Hi Pebbles,
Here is a link to Meader Supply
http://www.meadersupply.com/Publish/products_measurement.html
Once at that page under “harness info” there is a “click link” to a customer letter that indicates in good detail how to measure for collar size.

I think, and they suggest that hames and pads should be 2 sizes larger than the collar size. With an adjustable collar that would be two sizes larger than it’s largest size. So if your 20″-22″ collar is correct that would indicate a 24 inch hames and collar by their recomendation. That is one thing about the WWW that there is tons of information to go through and at times can be daunting. But take your time and don’t be afraid to ask questions on this board. It is always good if you can return your mistakes.

LStone

[Pebbles]

Thanks LStone…great web site. This is the method I used to measure my horse. Is there a general range that light horses fall into as far as collar size? All measurements indicate that I need a 21″ collar. When I look at pics of horses with collars the collars seem very high on their necks so I’m concerned I may not be measuring far enough in front of the withers. So I was wondering if there is a “typical light horse” range for collar size. He is a nice size quarter horse 1200 LBS but he is not so big that he would be mistaken for a draft horse breed.

Thanks for your help.

[Dennis]

Pebbles, not sure if this is going to be any help to you but I’ll give it anyway. I have a quarter horse that is about 14.2 and 900 pds, I just fitted her with a 19″ collar. I also have a 15 hand belgian mule and a 16 hand percheron mule that are around 1200 -1300 pds and have both of them in a 23″ collar. I can go down to a 22″ with one of them, but I don’t have one. I have entertained the idea of an adjustable collar because my 15 hand mule grew 2 collar sizes when I started working her regularly. So your qh might bulk up more than you expect.

[Pebbles]

Yes, Dennis, your info helped me a lot. I feel comfortable with the methods I used to measure and that I’m in the right ballpark with my measurements. Thank you so much.

[Author]

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