re: driving bridles
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] This message is from: "Katherine Carter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I think the reason our fjords need the longer browbands is that their skulls don't narrow much from their eyes to their ears. -Kathy in Maine This is one thing that makes Fjords so cute! The wider head and sweet eyes make them look like babies their whole life, and everyone loves baby animals! -- Genie Dethloff and Finne Ann Arbor, Michigan
Re: forelock & driving bridles
This message is from: "Warren Stockwell" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I fully agree I am blessed with BEAUTIFUL full forelocks on both our Fjords. We work around it. I had brought one ( Fjord) to a trainer for some work and I went to see her she was BALD The trainer said she couldn't work with her or see her neck/head position ( I don't remember exactly, just that I was P ' ed Off ). I questioned if she would than cut off a leg that wouldn't work right?? I am a bit of a smart mouth ( admitted ). I removed the horse from the trainer as soon as possible in hopes to avoid any other unauthorized removals. Lucky for me I brought home a case of strangles and it went through my barn like wild fire! I do find if I keep the bridal path short as possible and rather roomy ( deep ) it makes getting the bridal on and off easier. I also like single ear bridals but I don't know of any such thing for driving. Now with the winter here we just have to deal with it and often just mess around in a halter. Roberta > This message is from: "Shannon Kaplan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > > Don't cut that beatiful forelock! > We braid the forelocks and roll them under and fasten them with a band > before we put on the driving bridle. Good luck! > Shannon Kaplan > Chehalem Mountain Ranch
RE: forelock & driving bridles
This message is from: "Shannon Kaplan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Don't cut that beatiful forelock! We braid the forelocks and roll them under and fasten them with a band before we put on the driving bridle. Good luck! Shannon Kaplan Chehalem Mountain Ranch
re: driving bridles
This message is from: "Katherine Carter" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I think the reason our fjords need the longer browbands is that their skulls don't narrow much from their eyes to their ears. If you look at other horse's heads, even big horses seem to have skulls that narrow considerably as they go up from the width at the eyes to the width at the ears -- thus they can fit into those skimpy browbands. Fjord heads are much wider at the base of the ears --- just goes to show that they have more space for their brains! -Kathy in Maine
driving bridles
This message is from: Eileen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I appreciate all of the feedback on driving bridle fit. In the case of my mare, I wish it was simply that the browband is too small. I think it's the whole design. This particular bridle, from a Smuckers synthetic pleasure harness, has a hanging cavesson. However, unlike the English riding bridles, the cavesson attaches just above the winker on the cheek piece. There simply isn't enough room to accomodate the extra thickness of the cavesson attachment and the browband (let alone the rosette). I can't drop (lengthen) the cheekpiece because the winker needs to be in the right place. One solution for this particular bridle might be to convert the cavesson to a totally separate bridle piece, as with riding bridles. Or just run a strap through the cheekpieces to act as a noseband. Anyway, as Dave says, it shouldn't be this hard. Mankind has been making driving harness for quite some time... Eileen, in eastern WA
Re: driving bridles from jim
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
driving bridles
This message is from: "janet" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> I would think the only way to go is custom made. I had my work harness made by Samson's Harness shop 218-865-4602 he did a wonderful quality job and everything fits. Bernie does fancy harness too. There is no way my horses could get those bridles off. Janet
driving bridles
This message is from: "David McWethy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Maybe it was out of frustration that I got into the harness business. I remember the difficulty of getting a good fit on a bridle when I was trying to buy them. Now, from my current perspective, it is hard to see why. There is no difficulty fitting Fjord heads. It's just that you can't squeeze them into Quarterhorse bridles. Of course, having said that, it is true that there are variations among Fjord heads, some bigger, some smaller. But it is a shape that makes sense to me. I have joked that Camptown makes bridles that fit Fjords, and we adapt them to other breeds. Nosebands, throatlatches and especially browbands are the issues with some of the driving bridles you will buy. An 18 inch brow is typical for a Fjord, although my 15H pair needs 19 inches. I have not seen one that takes less than 18 inches. If anyone has a bridle that has a shorter browband, let me know. I probably will have one here I can ship, and you can replace it, and make your horse happier. Dave
Re: driving bridles on Fjords
This message is from: "Lisa Wiley" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Amy, Thanks I am getting ready to order a regular bridle for my new mare. The only place our bridles don't fit is the brow band. Now I know how big to have it made. Lisa Wiley Turnabout Portuguese Water Dogs Connecticut State Director Ponies With Purpose http://www.angelfire.com/ar3/ponieswithpurposeinc/ http://www.geocities.com/summerct/horses.html http://www.geocities.com/summerct/Turnabout.html
Re: driving bridles on Fjords
This message is from: [EMAIL PROTECTED] In a message dated 2/17/2005 7:46:27 PM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes: Right now I have the rosettes off so that the browband won't pinch the ears (badly). Browbands do seem to be a bit small on most any bridles. Getting custom brow bands seemed to make all the difference in the world on fit. I think most band are around 16 inches... I ordered mine 18" and have no problems with bridle fit. Amy Amy Evers Dun Lookin' Fjords Redmond, OR [EMAIL PROTECTED]
driving bridles on Fjords
This message is from: Eileen <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Is it just me, or is it *really* difficult to get driving bridles to fit Fjords? I swear I'm constantly tweaking Jane's bridle. Right now I have the rosettes off so that the browband won't pinch the ears (badly). I, for one, can't wait till Dave McWethy joins us here in the Pacific NW so maybe my poor pony can get a bridle that fits... Eileen, grumpy after getting only a quick drive in after a very long day at work...
