Where to look for a harness?

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CobsGalore

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I would like to start breaking my horse to drive in the Spring, and wondered where I should start looking to get a harness?

I don't want to spend too much money, just something to start him in. If we both enjoy it then I will look at getting something more expensive.

But equally I don't want it to fall apart after a few months of use.

Any ideas as to what to get?

Also, any tips for breaking in to drive? He already long reins, but we are going to practice lots, and then more long reining in harness, around roads etc. But any tips would be great, thanks :)
 
Hey Cg, Dales saddlery on Facebook often have harness sets for sale although the cheapest I think I have seen is £250, not sure how much you were thinking.

You'd probably be better off trying eBay...
 
Beware the very cheap sets you see on ebay and Dragon driving. They are very poor quality with brittle leather. Synthetic is totally OK in carriage driving world.
Look on BHDTA website/discussion forum and carriagelink.co.uk
Think about professional help for putting to the carriage.;)
 
BillieBlitzen said:
Hey Cg, Dales saddlery on Facebook often have harness sets for sale although the cheapest I think I have seen is £250, not sure how much you were thinking.

You'd probably be better off trying eBay...
Click to expand...

£250 is a bit too much. I was hoping to get something under £100, don't mind if it is synthetic, as long as it is safe and doesn't fall apart!
 
Deepandcrispandeven66 said:
Think about professional help for putting to the carriage.;)
Click to expand...

Yes I will do :) Going to do all the prep work myself and then get someone to help me when it comes to actually driving.

He is the kind of horse that you could probably stick a cart on him tomorrow and he wouldn't bat an eyelid - though I obviously want to do it properly!
 
Leather harness is a pita to keep clean, I don't mean from a turnout pov, just to keep it supple & safe. Robinsons do cheap synthetic. And low end sales with tack auctions usually have some, as said beware new cheap leather, but I've seen older, rather battered but good quality leather ones going cheaper than eBay.
 
Carriagelink website sells lots of driving stuff as does dragon driving the BHDTA forum has a sales and wanted page as does the NEDTL website.
 
I would stick to a well known make synthetic such as Zilco or Tedex as they are designed to be mix and match and a decent fit. Some lesser known makes must have been trialled on some funny shaped animals.
 
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