This message is from: "Joe Glick" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> When I hear someone asking for a used harness I have to think of the story about the guy who thought he would like to try sky-diving. But he didn't want to spend much money on a parachute. So he bought a used parachute. The parachute looked ok, but it didn't work. The moral of the story is: If he had bought a new parachute, he might have lived to enjoy sky-diving.
A few years ago I bought 2 new synthetic harnesses. I kept my old leather harnesses. Some where incomplete, because I would rob pieces to repair another harness. Then I got more horses. So rather than adjusting my harness all the time, to fit multiple horses, I decided to get out my old leather harness, have it cleaned, oiled, repaired and the missing parts replaced. When it came back from the harness shop it liked great. The first time I used it was on a 2 yr old stallion being hitched for the first time. At one point he bolted and ended up tearing the harness in 3 different places. The leather had become weak from storage. It was not a good experience for a first time drive. Now I always use a synthetic harness for training or driving a new horse. Synthetic is lighter and stronger, and it's easier to see if a piece needs to be replaced. Poor quality leather can look good and be very weak. By now you probably think I don't like leather harness. That couldn't be farther from the truth. Actually, I love leather harness. Nothing fits and handles better, but it does take more care. Here are the pros and cons of synthetic and leather harness. Synthetic pros: Lightweight, strong and easy to clean. Just hose it off with soapy water. Synthetic cons: Does not form to the horse as well as leather. Some materials are stiff and some don't wear well at wear points, such as points where buckles need to be tightened. Leather pros: Fits like a glove, literally. Very flexible. Is very forgiving. Tends to give rather than break. Leather cons: High maintenance. Should be cleaned after each use and stored in a dry place. Must be oiled regularly. Can break without much warning (older harness). Bottom line: If you buy a leather harness, be prepared to maintain it. If you buy a synthetic harness, buy it from a maker that has been making them for a while. They learn from experience how to make them look good and still be durable. Joe Glick Glick Family Farm Denver, PA [EMAIL PROTECTED]
