videos tell all (D-ring Harness Discussion)

[Neil Dimmock]

this one shows a d ring harness and the neck weight is still transferred form the pole to the collar ( neck weight), the two straps the hold up the pole are tied to the collar, you can’t change the direction of the pull with out a mechanical device!! the d ring might help a little but if it was as effective as stated them the two straps that hold up the pole would not be needed, you can see the weight on the top of the collar as it is pulling down and leaveing a drop in the neck line of the horse. its pulled down in to the neck and will sore them, there is a clear shot of this from the side!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SDhblyYiuM
Neil

[Ira]

Neil, Glad you posted that. It clearly demonstrates the most common mistake that people make when using a Dring harness. It is hitched to loose. If they would drop one more link on each heel chain it would pick the neckyoke up and take the weight off the lazy straps and the top of the collar.

[Neil Dimmock]

Ira post a pic or video of that while pulling!
Neil

[Ira]

Neil, There is a pic already in the Photo Gallery. It’s in working horses and titled Starting a new Era. It’s posted by Carl. A very good shot of how the Dring should be adjusted and hitched.

Carl, I hope you don’t mind my using your pic .

[Dubba]

Lazy straps are for lazy people, not lazy horses. Take no heed of the man in the tall black hat, he speaks in riddles.

While I in no way suggest that my harnesses don’t need some serious help, my horses don’t complain to much & they do not have sore or chaffed necks.

[Dubba]

Whoops, I guess only one pic per post..

This view shows that my britchen is too low. Why is it too low? Because the harness is too big, but it is what I have.

[Ira]

Nice photos, the second one clearly demonstrates that there is no tounge weight on the horses necks:D

[Neil Dimmock]

some times you see what to when you think you have the best of something ,you miss the obvious, its just pulling from a differnt angle, pulling down on the tugs still puts weight on the collar, Like I said you cant avoid the weight with any harness!

[Dubba]

@Neil Dimmock 2857 wrote:

some times you see what to when you think you have the best of something ,you miss the obvious, its just pulling from a differnt angle, pulling down on the tugs still puts weight on the collar, Like I said you cant avoid the weight with any harness!

I am not going to argue with Mr Dimmock over harnesses, but I will ask a polite question.

Which strap in the above picture would you like me to disconnect to prove the no weight issue?

I am going to have a hard time doing this pic as the off side horse is scheduled to be put to sleep on Monday, but I will get it done.

Would having the collars off & being hooked to the wagon suffice?

Or are we having a difference of meanings? This could likely be. I am talking about the absence of the weight of the tongue on the collar.

Not the absence of a draft on the tugs transferring to the collar caused by the forward motion of a load.

A friend also just called & told me to bite my tongue about “lazy straps”. She is correct that they are a meaningful safety device (left loose) in case one of the forward straps breaks. If one strap breaks, the yoke goes to knee level in a millisecond.

Or I could do the collars & the britchen, but I think we agree that there is no weight being transferred there. Let me know if you would humor me. -Josh

[Carl Russell]

These are good photos showing the redirection of weight from pole to back pad. As Neils says, sometimes you just see what you want to see.

Please don’t play around disconnecting harness parts. Remain safe.

There are many years of misinformed cultural habit about the use of the d-ring harness. Many people see no difference, and that is that. Those of us who have been informed can share, but we don’t need to start another cat fight over personal preferences.

If as teamsters we are truly interested in the comfort of our working horses, then exploring the possibility that weight can be taken off the collars when the d-ring harness is correctly fit would seem to be a reasonable pursuit.

The fact of the matter is, when properly adjusted the d-ring completely eliminates tongue weight from the collars. Additionally, a person 200 lbs or more should be able to sit on the end of the pole (without lazy straps), and their weight will also be born exclusively on the back pad.

Keep up the good work, Carl

[TinaY]

I don’t (yet) own a D-Ring, but used one mowing pastures at Steve Bower’s place. Before hitching, I lifted the collar off the neck and wiggled it around. Once hitched, I could still lift and wiggle it, and it didn’t feel any different to me than before they were hooked. The back pad, however, was heavily weighted. In order to get the mower going, they pulled into the collars, but once in motion, the collar was again unweighted.

That’s the only experience I have with D-Rings, but based on that, we intend to buy a set once we’re doing more heavy work.

Nate did mention that he didn’t like them for trotting down the road because they seemed to flap around more than a traditional box brichen draft harness. Any thoughts on that?

[Dubba]

Quote:

Nate did mention that he didn’t like them for trotting down the road because they seemed to flap around more than a traditional box brichen draft harness.

In my experience a D-ring harness is a walking harness. Les Barden’s style of neck yoke seems to be more forgiving of a stiff trot, but it can still get bouncy when the team gets out of step. I think it is a personal decision to some extent. My boys are old, I’m no spring chicken, we prefer to walk.

[Ira]

If you can get a team in step with each other and stay that way the bounce will smooth out. But the Dring is basicly desighned for walking.

[Ira]

@Neil Dimmock 2857 wrote:

some times you see what to when you think you have the best of something ,you miss the obvious, its just pulling from a differnt angle, pulling down on the tugs still puts weight on the collar, Like I said you cant avoid the weight with any harness!

Neil would you like to clarify that statement. The tugs/traces should pull the collar back into the shoulder. If they are pulling down something is out of adjustment.

[Neil Dimmock]

Well that was fun , if you pull down on the tug it will pull down on the collar. ie, like when the belly band is to short, if set up right the d ring is not a bad harness but it is so rarely set right that all the extra weight added to the pole makes it worse and a small adjustment out of whack and its adding weight, and most that drive rarely have a collar or a bridle fit right so for them to figure out this contraption !!!!
Neil

[Author]

Posts