Any carriage driving people?

[knabstrupper85]

I am looking to buy a harness for a 13.3hh pony and haven't had any luck finding a good 2nd hand english leather one so looks like its going to have to be leather look instead. Does anyone know who stocks "topmark"? have tried Ousbeys but no luck.

Thank you!

 

[cundlegreen]

IF YOU WANT A SET FOR ALL ROUND DRIVING AND NOT SHOWING, i KNOW SOMEBODY AT BURY ST EDMUNDS WHO SELLS VERY GOOD INDIAN SETS, FROM BOG STANDARD BREAST COLLAR TO hdt QUICK RELEASE STUFF. I HAD MY FIRST SET FROM HIM 9 YEARS AGO AND ITS STILL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION DESPITE ME NOT CLEANING IT, AND HAVE USED IT TO BREAK IN SEVERAL HORSES. I NOW HAVE A PUKKA HDT SET WITH EMPATHY COLLAR WHICH COST ME IN THE REGION OF £400. A LOT OF INDIAN PRODUCED HARNESS IS MADE USING BRITISH HIDES, SO THE QUALITY IS VERY GOOD. PM ME IF YOU WANT A CONTACT NUMBER.
(Sorry about the caps!!)

 

[Donkeymad]

Sorry, but, cundlegreen, what a load of tosh!

O. I applaud you for wanting leather, many these days prefer synthetic, as you are now having to. I can't say I am familiar with the make you are looking for, but there are a variety of very good makes using this type of material.

 

[HumBugsey]

Really? Indian harness? I wouldn't... not just quality but I'd rather support the British industry!

I love leather harness, it's just so versatile and it will break if you need it too (I am very much of the opinion, synthetic harness, metal carriage, all that's left to break is the horses) and looked after properly it will last for generations.

Have you tried carriage link or dragon driving?
http://www.carriagelink.com/
http://www.dragondriving.co.uk/

I've never heard of "topmark."

P.S. Cuddlegreen, please don't post all in caps, 1) It's considered shouting, 2) It's hard to read.

 

[Toffee44]

google dragon driving they sell harness.
I got mine from my local horse sales in the harness sales, your looking at around about 500 for english leather. I paid 200 for my working collar with hames.

 

[Toffee44]

looked after properly it will last for generations.

I've never heard of "topmark."

P.S. Cuddlegreen, please don't post all in caps, 1) It's considered shouting, 2) It's hard to read.

Top mark is a plastic type leather I know someone who exercises his wedding horses in it as you can chuck it in the washing machine(and keep the leather one and brass clean). It doesnt look to bad either.
The wedding harness he uses dates from London circa 1890 and its in lovely condition jsut shows how good leather is if looked after properly.

 

[knabstrupper85]

Thanks for the replys. I have tried dragon driving, carriage link & ebay but not having much luck. Lots of indian sets around but I wouldn't use one if you paid me! Do you think at 13.3h she would be "cob" size? pic if that helps -


Although I have had her 14 years & don't expect her to be any trouble this is new to us both so dont want to buy something that i would lose too much money on if things didn't work out, so buying a nice new leather one is out for the moment at least (plus spent more than i intended to on a bellcrown carriage) The topmark is plastic coated webbing, looks like the more expensive zilco ones but its half the price.

"synthetic harness, metal carriage, all that's left to break is the horse" Have heard this saying before and very much agree so if i do buy synthetic I would at least buy some leather traces.

 

[rabatsa]

"synthetic harness, metal carriage, all that's left to break is the horse" Have heard this saying before and very much agree so if i do buy synthetic I would at least buy some leather traces.

You need more than just leather traces, you will need a break point for the crupper backstrap to release the breeching as well orherwise your pony would still be attached to the carriage after the traces had given way. Many leather traces have a centre core of webbing so would not be any different to the synthetic ones.

 

[cp1980]

"synthetic harness, metal carriage, all that's left to break is the horse" Have heard this saying before and very much agree so if i do buy synthetic I would at least buy some leather traces.

If you have quick release fittings on your harness that should take care of the safety aspect.

Also, it is very rare to see new-build wooden carriages these days as wooden carriages broke too easily in competition in the 70s and caused many problems as a result.

Synthetic harnesses are easier to maintain so it is easier to keep your harness in good condition and therefore safe.

That's my modern-view. ;-)

 

[cundlegreen]

Really? Indian harness? I wouldn't... not just quality but I'd rather support the British industry!

I love leather harness, it's just so versatile and it will break if you need it too (I am very much of the opinion, synthetic harness, metal carriage, all that's left to break is the horses) and looked after properly it will last for generations.

Have you tried carriage link or dragon driving?
http://www.carriagelink.com/
http://www.dragondriving.co.uk/

I've never heard of "topmark."

P.S. Cuddlegreen, please don't post all in caps, 1) It's considered shouting, 2) It's hard to read.

I didn't do on purpose, honest!! Got halfway through, and discovered I was on caps lock. Didn't fancy redoing it all!
What "tosh" am I talking, Donkeymad? I speak as I find, The harness I have sourced is of a very good standard, otherwise I wouldn't be using it. Yes, I DO know what I am talking about, have you won National Championships and County shows driving, as I have? You don't do that without knowing what you are on about.