Re: Fjord harness size
This message is from: Mary Thurman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> ---Jean Gayle <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Ruthie, I have also wondered about this measurement. However, I have a > small fjord, previously had a larger one and also tried one who was huge. > Maybe there is a general range? Dear List, Aha! And here is exactly the problem with fitting Fjords to harness! Maybe that is why the Norwegians designed their harness as they did - with padded hames, no collar or metal hames. It seems this system makes the harnesses much more adjustable. I have not used a Norwegian harness personally, but I know several people do. So lets hear from these people. Pat Wolfe? I notice from pictures of your driving adventures that you seem to be using Norwegian harness on your singles and tandems. How does it work for you? We are also considering a harness for our "boys" in the next couple years. We have one that's 14 hands and 950 pounds and one that's 15.1 and 1100 pounds - probably too much of a spread for the same regular harness, but what about a Norwegian harness? We'd like to be able to hitch to a cart or pull logs with the same harness. Bridle sizes: I've never seen a Fjord that could wear anything but a "horse" size bridle. Even that can be too small if you are looking at Western tack - the browband is usually too small. I've solved that one by using a single ear headstall, or a slip ear headstall, whichever you want to call it (depends on the loop style). This works for Western riding, but would be no good for driving. So we have usually bought "standard horse" size headstalls for driving and hoped the browbands would be wide enough. Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren't. It's just trial and error until you find one that fits. Mary == Mary Thurman Raintree Farms [EMAIL PROTECTED] _ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
Re: Re: Fjord harness size
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] When I ordered my harness from Smucker's they sent me a catalog with a sheet for measuring my horse. Then I called them with the measurments and they told me what size harness to get. I did need to replace the throat-latch (needed a longer one) and opted to get the deluxe breast collar instead of the pleasure collar - better fit and I liked the looks better. Smuckers was very nice about all the changes and returns. I had never owned a harness before and so far am happy with it. Sheath cleaning?? After reading about all the kicking I decided to e-mail Sven's former owner and ask her if they cleaned his sheath or let the vet do it. My QH could care less if I clean his!!! I, too, use Excalibar and a pair of "shower" gloves that are made of a rough fabric to pick-out the softened material. Then for the final rinse I use a hose with warm water. Thanks for the good information on arenas - I was hoping I would not have to take out a loan, however, to put one in :) Linda in MN where today the wind is blowing so hard it is hard to walk!!
Re: Fjord harness size
This message is from: Marsha Jo Hannah <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > "Bushnell's" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > what size is a driving harness for a > Fjord? Does it have an order number, a measurement? > and "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> replied: > > I have a small fjord, previously had a larger one and also tried one > who was huge. Maybe there is a general range? I know their heads > take a horse size bridle but the bodies? I want to start driving this > summer so will also be "in the market". Given how few "off the shelf" things fit my Fjords, I'd guess that harness will have to be custom-ordered. For example, horse-sized riding bridles are way too small for 2 of my 3. All of mine need at least 5-1/2" bits, and one takes a 5-3/4". However, there are Fjords out there that are much smaller, so I doubt that there could be one size to fit all Fjords. At least, not without having a lot of spare strap length flapping in the breeze! Most harness-makers can send you a chart of places to measure, to help them size the harness properly. However, even then, plan on sending some pieces back for exchange or remake. Unless the harness maker does Fjords, he's probably not going to believe some of your measurements! Ruthie, have you talked with Nancy Lehnert (in Bigfork, over near Kalispell) about harness? I think they sell harness, as well as carriages, and she certainly has experience with all the Fjord body type variations. Marsha Jo HannahMurphy must have been a horseman-- [EMAIL PROTECTED] anything that can go wrong, will! 30 mi SSE of San Francisco, Calif. ---
Re: Fjord harness size
This message is from: "Jean Gayle" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ruthie, I have also wondered about this measurement. However, I have a small fjord, previously had a larger one and also tried one who was huge. Maybe there is a general range? I know their heads take a horse size bridle but the bodies? I want to start driving this summer so will also be "in the market". Jean Gayle -Original Message- From: Bushnell's <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Date: Wednesday, March 17, 1999 6:44 AM Subject: Fjord harness size >This message is from: "Bushnell's" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > >Maybe you missed my question about what size is a driving harness for a >Fjord? Does it have an order number, a measurement? > >Either that or nobody else knows either? (vbg) > >Come on, I'm waiting! Ruthie NW MT >
Re: Fjord harness size
This message is from: Jean Ernest <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Ruthie: What size Fjord? Mine would take pretty much standard horse size harness, but friends here have one BIG fjord whos hip was so long and hindquarter so big that Smuckers had to add 6 inches to the back strap and make larger breeching.. They also have a small fjord gelding, only about 13 hh that would take a much smaller harness. So I would guess you just haqve to measure your Fjord. Jean in Fairbanks, Alaska, where we are having our Ice Festival and winter carnival, over 100 beautiful ice carvings are finished and the weather is gorgeous! (+25 to +35 and sunny) > >Maybe you missed my question about what size is a driving harness for a >Fjord? Does it have an order number, a measurement? > >Either that or nobody else knows either? (vbg) > >Come on, I'm waiting! Ruthie NW MT > > > Jean Ernest Fairbanks, Alaska [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Fjord harness size
This message is from: "Bushnell's" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Maybe you missed my question about what size is a driving harness for a Fjord? Does it have an order number, a measurement? Either that or nobody else knows either? (vbg) Come on, I'm waiting! Ruthie NW MT
