Three abreast lines

[Rivendell Farm]

Hi,
Does anyone have the measurements for the lengths of the cross checks on lines for three abreast? Not the setup with short checks back to the center horse’s hame rings, but the one where lines run to all three horses bits from the teamster’s hands. Bob

[dominiquer60]

I posted this on another thread, but I cannot find it to link to it.

Here is what Les Barden writes about 3 abreast set up.

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[Donn Hewes]

Hi Erika, My computer does know what file type that is or how to open it. When I wish the computer to be smarter than me it isn’t; and when I wish it wasn’t it is!

There is a good description of these lines in Lynn Miller’s workhorse hand book, page 236. It suggests the short check is 6′ long and the longer one is apx. 8′ long. Start by placing them at 5’8″ and 7’4″, but have 6″ of holes either way to fine tune your spacing.

[Carl Russell]

Image and Description in pdf format below…

Carl

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[carl ny]

Just a little question. Where the 8ft. line hooks into the long line, how far behind the 6ft. line does it attach?

carl ny

[Rivendell Farm]

Thanks everybody for the quick responses with valuable information. I do prefer this line setup to the one with two horses checked back to their neighbors’ hame rings, once it’s adjusted right. It gives you much more precise control and I think it must be easier on the horses’ mouths. It turned out my short and long cross checks are about the right length (determined some time ago using a full scale drawing on a concrete floor). But I can see where I need some adjustment of their positions on the long line. Bob

[Jay]

I just had my lines out using them today spreading manure. Nice to be able to use 3 on the spreader sometimes. The middle horse cross check is 7′ and the cross check to the inside of the outside horse is 10″. These are beta lines about 10 years old – not sure who made them. There are holes over about 12″ to adjust each of the cross-checks. I sometimes run the longer cross-check through rings on the back/rump of the middle horse to keep them from slipping down around that horse. Jay

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Bob, Just for the sake of a rainy day discussion I have often heard folks say this.

“It gives you much more precise control and I think it must be easier on the horses’ mouths.”

I use the other system – two short checks from hames to bit; one on the left and one on the right. I own a set of the three abreast lines and use them when driving Five a breast (and have used them to drive three many times). I use regular team lines with four short checks when driving four also.

I think intuitively we all assume that control and easier on the horses must be true. My only argument that it may not be so is in my experience I have not found it to be true. Look at the videos of Baling with four our tedding with three. I like to use my team limes because of the simplicity it provides. Short checks remain on all my harnesses all the time. Anyone is always ready to work any where in a two, three, or four horse hitch. Too wet to do much today, but try and tie down my hoop house! Donn

[Donn Hewes]

Teding hay with thee horses and mules.
https://vimeo.com/tag:northland+sheep+dairy

Baling hay with four hrses and mules.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cY_cNgtpYM

One thing yo can see is that Jay’s check lines are longer than those in Lynn’s book. I think as long as you get them adjusted for the spacing you want there s some flexibility.

[Does’ Leap]

Like Donn, I prefer two short checks from hames to bits for the center horse. I started driving with a set of three abreast lines as pictured in Carl’s attachment. Despite numerous adjustments and fussing, I was never please with the contact I had with all three horses. I started using the hame to bit configuration last year and prefer it. I feel like I have better contact with all three horses and don’t feel like it is hard on the center horse.

George

[Rivendell Farm]

Donn-I started wondering how I’d missed those line measurements in the Work Horse Handbook, so I looked up the page numbers you cited. My copy ends at page 224. You must have a newer edition. At the risk of criticism for being less than cautious, and adding more to this already long discussion, there is one more line setup I have used with three, four and five abreast. In terms of simplicity it can’t be beat. You use regular team lines on the outside horses on say a 4 horse hitch. Then connect all the horses together with short bit to bit cross checks. You still have one line on each horse. It’s the way I learned by observing the local Amish with their 8 abreast hitches. With well broke horses I used this setup a lot with no problems. It doesn’t take as many cross checks. You don’t have as much control for stopping, but the steering works great. I’m just mentioning this, not recommending it. Bob

[Donn Hewes]

hi Bob, Yes I think I have a second edition, Sorry. The bit to bit lines you describe are featured in a story in the recent “Rural heritage”. With good pictures. All ways interesting to see all the different possibilities. I like to let a horses look at something before I bring the head back where we are going. The hames to bit check allows for that, perhaps a little more than the Bit to bit, maybe. Donn

[PeytonM]

Don’t mean to high jack this but what is the point of having different spots for the cross checks on a team harness? on my nylon harness it has beta lines and there are about 4 different holes and then I had a feller look over it and said they must be a hand full backing up and punched a new hole in and they were a lot better handling.

I’ve been looking in to three abreast for some while, when it drys out some I’m hoping I can plow with them

[Donn Hewes]

In team lines the cross checks are longer than continuous line. The difference between the two lines will determine how far apart the horses heads are. Ideally their heads will be spaced to match the evener and neck yoke they are working with. If you look at a team of horses where their heads are pointed towards each other the check lines need to be longer, (make sure they weren’t put on wrong). Two horses walking straight ahead while they both look out, away from each other, need to have their check lines shortened. Backing and going forward should be about the same results. I hope that helps. Ideally the two check lines will be the same, although folks will some times adjust one longer than the other to accommodate a size or behavior difference in a team. Donn

[Rivendell Farm]

I’ve got my lines adjusted so they work great. I’ve been plowing and spreading manure with three horses. Thanks again for the measurements. Bob

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