Has anyone tried the leather harness @$349 from Country Supply?   www.horse.com

is one of my favorite places but I am a little concerned about this harness.....and I am such a prissy old woman, I just hate to send stuff back.....

No, but if you get Hi fives on it and decide to purchase it, let me know what you think of it.. My daughter's outgrown KY Mtn pony is said to drive, but I've not tried.. I've never driven a cart in my life and wouldn't know where or how to start.. I've always wanted to, tho.

Been a carriage driver for years!!  Do NOT under any circumstances buy cheap harness.  If you've never driven or trained a driving horse before, enlist the help of a "professional" or at least a non-pro with significant experience.

The harness sold through the supply catalogs is usually made in India or Pakistan and is like cardboard.  I wouldn't do it.

Usually people who are involved in carriage driving and who sell horse drawn vehicles will appreciate the importance of well made harness.  They also don't want to be responsible for accidents that could occur if their product fails. There are a few very high end harness makers in the states and in Canada and their prices reflect their artisanship.  The quality of their leather is incredible and the stitching and workmanship is wonderful, but that said, there are also a bunch of excellent harness makers around.  Most of the Amish made harness you will find is quite good.  Look for American made hardware - stainless steel if you can find it for everyday work harness.  Make sure when you fold a piece of leather against itself it doesn't fray or tear or snap.  You may also want to consider biothane harness - just wash it off when you're done - no leather cleaning or conditioning, but the quality of the materials and workmanship can vary as much as with leather.

Carriage driving can be quite fun - not talking about the "pleasure" driving in the QH or Appaloosa show ring - but also quite risky. I've had a couple of carriage accidents over the years and was very lucky not to get me or my pony hurt badly, but I've seen some doozies!

Rose... I own some Smuckers harness and it is very nice, but there are some other harness makers in the Lancaster area that do as good a job.  Village Harness in Bird-in-Hand comes to mind.  The Martin's Carriage auction is coming up the weekend at the Lebanon PA fairgrounds.  It's usually packed with good buys on harness and carriages as well as a ton of other good horse stuff.  I wonder what effect the economy will have on it.  I may take a ride out there on Saturday just for fun.

I do agree that the biothane harness is great for Non-show applications.  My kid uses a good biothane for marathon driving.  She used to use leather, but the biothane is much easier to care for and a good one is just as safe as a good leather harness.

jakey...Thanks for your comments.  I would like to hear a report of the Martin's Auction.  Am going to look at a buggy mare tomorrow at an Amish farm near me.  She sounds lovely so wish me luck.

Rose... I love the term "buggy mare".  Most mares I have owned through the years have been "buggy" ....

Good luck with your search!

I have always wanted a buggy horse!  Several years ago I was in Muddy Pond, Tennessee.  It is an Amish or Mennonite village, with their own ironworks, harness shop, buggy maker, etc.  They make the MOST beautiful buggies I have ever seen.  They use several varieties of natural woods.  They don't paint or stain the wood, just oil and varnish to allow the natural colors to shine.  Hope someday to own one!

Marla 

Good Morning Marla and Jakey....I did not make it over to see the mare;  so am going today.  Went to see my show mare and to buy some fresh veggies from the Amish farm next door to the show barn.  I looked up Muddy Pond and it sounds like a treat to visit.  Going to try to go there in the next couple of weeks since it is sorghum making time.

Jakey....is it just a girl thing?  I love my mares;  feel closer to them.  Altho my gelding is a really good guy and my best b.f.

Hi Jakey

Went by to see the mare yesterday and to make an appointment to see her harnessed and to drive her.  She is a pretty bay (not roan) standardbred of about 14.1 hands.  Her name is "Betty" which I like. She came when called by name;  she was out in the pasture with several other horses.  My previous buggy horse was 13.2 but heavier than Betty, so I think I will retrieve my lent out harness..........  Will let you all know if Betty comes home with me.....

Rose... that's so cool!  I do like some of these standardbreds and 14.1 is a good size.  They seem to be very levelheaded.  We have always had Hackney ponies for driving.  I am going to look at a nice Hackney pony mare... green broke, but supposedly very calm.  I think she may be bred.  A baby will be fun to have again.

Not too many Hackneys up in this area... I think you have a few down in KY, don't you?

Rose... I knew you were going to go for it!... best of luck and thanks for the heads up about Smuckers.  My daughter is looking for a pony gig saddle.  I sent her an email so perhaps she can contact them.

Keep us in the loop regarding your progress with Betty.

Hey, What about the nylon harness also advertised in country supply?  What are the merits (if any) in regards to nylon web harnessess.  My daughter's pony is nearly outgrown. There is no market right now for a gaited pony of her size... She is said to drive, but I've never tried.. We bought her in KY from a fella who buys and sells horses..usually gaited ones.. He, himself had recently bought her from the amish.. He thinks she was broke to drive and at the time we bought her, her forelock was cut off, which I've been told is common practice for buggy horses among the amish.  I know I'm going on he saids-she saids, but  even though I know nothing about driving horses, I wouldn't mind trying this pony out, if I can get some good advice and assisstance.. I used to ground drive my appy colt years ago (yes, I know it's not the same thing), and with all of the printed info available, I should have a large volume of resource material to pull from....Let me say that this is a very calm, sweet pony, who would make a wonderful harness horse... At 13.2 hands, she's a good size to drive, whereas ahe would be (and was) quickly outgrown as a riding pony.. she has more common sense than my own much-loved personal mare.. 

Any yeahs or nays regarding nylon?

My daughter and I have been involved in driving for a good many years...  and we know lots of people in the same "boat".  I've got to say I've never seen or heard of any of my reliable driving acquaintences using nylon web harness.  I don't know how comfortable it would be for the horse.. maybe that's a consideration.  Nylon web can bind. 

Ground driving is a very good way to start or re-start a driving horse.  I would harness the horse - make sure everything fits well - take your whip in hand and give the animal a lot of road work before you even think about hitching to a cart. If you have a drag available it's a good tool to get them used to the weight behind them.  They have to learn to stay straight in the traces before you put them between shafts.

There are some great books and videos out there, but do not be in a hurry... do lots of groundwork first.  Once a horse is frightened it is very hard to overcome.

My recommendation to you is to start from scratch with your pony. This way you can truly know if she has a clue about being driven. Do not just hook the pony until you are certain she is a reliable driving animal. Check out these places  www.countrycarriagesusa.com , Driving Essentials, Carriage Driving Essentials, The Carriage House....I have been driving for many years and have competed for a great majority of them. Nylon harness is OK but it does not always fit well. There is Beta harness available at reasonable prices and I prefer Zilco which is a synthetic. Both of these have the look of leather with the ease of care because you can hose them off. If you want leather, look for a good quality used harness. Ponies can be a little harder to fit than horses because there are so many sizes and variations. I have owned the cheap harness you have looked at and in the end you will be much happier and safer with a good quality harness. The cheap ones do not usually fit well either.

Good luck!! I love to drive, it's great fun but it also involves more risk because you have attatched something to the horse. Take your time, be careful and you will have success.