Getting started with harness work?

Question

Hi guys!
 
My last attempt at this question was too long and vague.

I've taught our haflinger mare the basic commands on long reins (using a double-handled surcingle and a couple of ropes). We've had a lot of fun so far, and I'm interested in going a step further. I'll be getting help with anything I'm not sure how to do in the future, like actually hitching her up to something, but in the mean time I've started looking into harnesses and different activities involving harness work that we could do at home.

Which kind of harness would you recommend? 
What kind of things do you have your horses pull before pulling anything potentially more dangerous, like a log or cart?

Any links to information online and personal experience are greatly appreciated!

Hannah · Accepted Answer

Hi there,

When starting a horse out, I usually use a show harness, Carriage or van harness, or simple classic single buggy harness. Either of them is good because they are so light weight and less complicated. (I will post a picture below of a good harness set)

Your horse can really pull just about any *light* load! I have done small tires to logs from the camp fire. Anything light that you feel will not put your horse in any danger if they were to spook etc. will be fine! Just be sure to have nice long ling-lines when doing it.

Good luck!

Elizabeth · Answer

We have Belgians and we use just a simple working harness with the belly strap. You would be surprised what that belly strap helps with it helps keep the tongue down. When we started my dad has an old cultivator that his dad trained the horses with but then again we have a team. We hooked them up to it because it has a high tongue and is the same width as the team. Now they are ten and we hook to just about everything i would not hook though to a plow or disc to start they are pretty easy to flip and i have saw some deadly accidents. We always have them hooked to the cart if we pull a log so we have a place to ride and keep up, also it makes and easy unhook and hook just have a clevis to hook with and through it makes it a lot easier.  Also if the horse wants to take off take to a plowed field with a cart and let it do what it is gonna do because the horse won't be able to pick up much speed.This pic is of our horses.

ms manners · Answer

I don't know what the different types of harnesses are....just the one I had.

I broke my pony to pull a cart by first putting my weight against the traces, and once he was okay with that, attaching the traces to a light pole, and letting him drag it.

I pulled the cart myself, behind him, before attaching him to it the first time.  That gave him a chance to get used to the noise, and I could let go of the cart if he spooked.

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Getting started with harness work?

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