This message is from: "Karen Keith" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
I thought it very useful that he
pointed out that Tank's conformation and his current
breast collar might be incompatible and he suggested
trying a collar. He made some temporarly adjustments
and long range suggestions for the cart to bring the
driver higher.
Cynthia:
My mare "told" me she wasn't comfortable in a breast collar -- it just took
me a while to listen! Good thing she's so sweet natured. Instead of
kicking the cart to pieces, she just wouldn't go forward with any energy,
preferred to walk, and would stop dead at the slightest suggestion of
"whoa". I have since put her in a buggy collar, and she's much happier.
Her conformation is drafty, which put the bulk of her mass above the breast
collar with little below it. This caused her line of draft to be waaaaay
below her center of mass.
If you'd like to see pics of before, I'll be happy to send it on. It was a
great learning experience. Now I look closely at breast collar fit,
especially with Fjords. I see plenty that have a great deal of mass above
the draft, but I guess they learn to cope with it. This mare was coping,
but she wasn't willing to put any "oomph" into her performance.
On the other hand, there was a lovely Fjord in The Laurels at Landhope video
(don't know who it was) who, because of conformation, was beautifully
balanced above and below the breast collar, so it just depends on the build
of your Fjordie.
If you'd like to see a photo, I'd be happy to email it.
Cheers!
Karen
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