St Paul Saddlery

[Robert MoonShadow]

Has anyone done business with this company? I’m curious as to their quality. They’ve been in business for quite a while. They answered my letter very promptly, and said that they can make a donkey-sized harness (they don’t make d-ring style) in leather, granite, bio or beta, all the same price: $200 – 250, with the collar for about $80. Gave me very easy to understand directions as to what measurements they need to fit it. I have no idea on costs, so am wondering 1) Does this sound like a good price? (S&H extra, of course). 2) Which material is best for my applications? –> Small farm, mostly harrow, cultivator, small forecart & harvest cart; eventually some firewood. It includes lines, halter, hames, etc. They said that breast straps, pole straps, etc. for a team could be added on later. One thing I did notice is that they don’t just take a draft-horse harness & cut it down… this one uses a bit smaller material (trace is 1 1/2″ instead of the usual 1 3/4″, etc.) so that its lighter… (too light?) 3) I remember reading somewhere that the bellyband should still be the usual width, though {in this case, their’s is 2″} as the donkey belly requires it. Anyone know about the accuracy of that statement? Oh, the bit’s not included, so am wondering what type to get… he’s never had a bridle on, and I don’t know what type is best.
Thanks for any input… I want to make sure that I don’t inadvertantly shortchange the quality for the sake of price.

[J-L]

Funny you should ask because just the other day I was looking at my cousins new harness she got from St. Paul saddlery!
It’s the second set that I’ve seen. It’s not bad harness for the money. You will not break those tugs. They use both leather and nylon and you’ll pull everthing else apart before they give.
The only thing I saw that I didn’t like was on her Yankee or Mormon britchen. It could be a little stouter. It’s the brake system on the harness and speaking as someone who hauls loads on downhills you sure don’t want that giving out.
I’m sure it’s stout enough, but just.
Other than that I liked their harness and think it’s a good value. I think it’ll hold up alright for you.
As far as bits for your donkey, I’ll have to defer to someone else on that. I’ve noticed my mules go as good in a snaffle as anything else with the exception of one draft mule who likes a Kimberwick with a low port. I would guess you’ll have to experiment a little there.

[near horse]

Hey Pirate,

I don’t know anything about St. Paul saddlery but, if you and I make it to SFJ in April, there are some harness makers there w/ samples of their wares. If I recall, last time I went there was Midwest Leather and Big Sky (I might have fouled this up but there were certainly harness shops there w/ knowledgeable people on hand. Not sure if you can wait that long but just a thought.

[Haflinger Puller]

Aaargh!!

I purchased a set of St. Paul Saddlery about 10 years ago, and still use them for parades and field work. They are a light set, but with that said, I had let a friend use my harness with her two Haflingers which each weighed about 1200 pounds when they ran off from her, DEAD BROKE & BOMB PROOF. That harness stayed on them all the way, and the only piece of equipment that was damaged was by me when I had to cut the hame strap to get the horses back up from being tangled up. St. Paul Saddlery put nylon in my traces ten years ago. While my dad was alive he told me that it was good harness, and that he would have used it when we logged for Weyerhauser in Northern Arkansas back in the 70’s.

Looking back, the only thing I would have done different with my set of harness was to not get the leather lines, but go with the Beta.

[Haflinger Puller]

My leather lines were made of a little heavier leather than what I was used to and was really stiff. If you oil them down and get them limbered they work well, but I still say go with the Beta.

[Robert MoonShadow]

Thanks for the input, HP! I do believe I’m going to give them a try. Still confused as to the different types of bits, but WTH, I’ll learn it somewhere.

[HeeHawHaven]

Just got off the phone with them. Really nice gentleman, makes them right there to your specs.

I’ll be able to get one for Duke for between $220 and $270 in beta or leather. I’m going to give him measurements in the next day or so and get a quote. He’s also sending a catalog. He’s “old school” – uses the phone and catalogs more than the internet. Sounds like someone I can work with.

If this works out, I can get a team harness in the range of $600 for the Fjules!

I still would like to hear more comments if anyone else is familiar with this company, but so far so good.

D

[J-L]

Hey Robert, I just talked to another guy who’s got a set of that harness. It’s only the second year of use for his but he says it’s very decent harness in his book, and seems to be holding up well.

[Y 4 Ranch]

I’ve been in their shop, pretty interesting place, been in the same spot for I think 3 generations. I have 2 sets of harness made by them, at least that was what I was told when I bought them, that are about 10 years old and they show the normal wear and tear but other than that they’re real good shape. Stitching has held without any problem.
Mike

[Robert MoonShadow]

Thank you, Mike & J-L!! I’m definitely going to try these guys, just as soon as the donkey gets here. {When you’re getting free transport of an animal from the other side of the country, ya kinda gotta ‘go with the flow’… and be very patient}. I like supporting these small businesses – and these guys sound like they’re definitely ‘old school’ in their way of doing things. It says something about them, when in the days of emails & websites, they don’t have a site, but continue in business, anyways. Evidently they don’t NEED one.
Again, thanks for supplying input & opinions. – it helps this newbie avoid costly mistakes. {I really like this forum!}

[near horse]

Careful about being too romantic about “no website, no e-mail”. When you’re in a very specific market with potential customers all over the place, it can be difficult to stay afloat just through word of mouth. Word of mouth is great but I (we) can’t support businesses that we don’t hear about. On top of that, I (we) have limited amount of time when looking for harness parts, equipment etc and need to decide and move on. I just did that with some singletree hardware. Looked at a couple of catalogs and online then just went for it. Might have ended up supporting some e-mail middleman but I didn’t see many options.

Also, as you all probably have heard, Smucker’s Harness Shop is going out of business although I think someone has bought certain parts of the operation.

[HeeHawHaven]

I’ve got my harness, but haven’t used it yet. We have some “mentors” from the local driving club and they weren’t happy with it.

They said that the saddle is too minimal for pulling the wagon we have. They also say that the blinders are too small.

Today, I phoned St. Paul Saddlery and he says this is a 100 year old pattern and that it will work fine. He is willing to send us a wool pad that velcros to the bottom if we want it.

I sent him a picture of Duke withe the bridle on with a work bridle next to him to get his opinion of the blinders. He says that the size he put on should be fine as long as you center it over his eye.

I’ll attach a picture here to get the “experts” opinions. I can also take pics of the saddle later to get your opinions.

We bought the harness for him to use on a light weight 2 wheel cart and to pull our small wagon. We were trying to have a light weight harness so that we didn’t have to use the heavy work harness in all situations.

Thanks for your opinions!

Sorry haven’t checked in lately. Too busy doing hay, training, riding, living, etc….

Dave

[CharlyBonifaz]

I’ll attach a picture here to get the “experts” opinions.

1. ask Duke
2. my opinion? its ok
elke

[Y 4 Ranch]

@CharlyBonifaz 11332 wrote:

1. ask Duke
2. my opinion? its ok
elke

I agree with Elke and the Saddlery, I don’t see a problem with the blinders just adjust them correctly.
Mike

[HeeHawHaven]

I’lll get out in the next couple of days and put the saddle of the harness on him too for your opinions. I think we’ll be just fine, but it doesn’t hurt to ask!

BTW – we’ve been riding him this summer. He’s only been a driving horse. He’s doing well, but it’s funny how he first started turning as if he was in between the shafts and he kind of moves his head like he’s looking around the blinders that aren’t there anymore!

D

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