How to put on a Single Marathon Harness

[@Linda-hs1lk]

SO happy finally seeing an American video the correct fitting harness and NO check rein. HURRAY!

[@allisonbrizburk2217]

Check reins are dumb lol

[@7happytails]

Thank You, great video

[@lanahorton1003]

This is great - I'm just learning driving and harnessing my new driving Haflinger. I do, however, know how a halter ought to fit a horse - just saying, because it's hard to watch.

[@Misstrickrider]

Thank you for sharing, I'm a newbie to driving & this video was great!

[@danutebright8292]

Thanks for waching!

[@sunnyruth8575]

That is a great rig Nice set love that harness. Great for wheel trail vehicle.

[@bcazz5202]

You have a Stingray! Looks much newer than mine.
Question - are the rubber bands over the safety shackles required(if that's what they are)? I recently started using them and I've never seen those bands before.

[@danutebright8292]

No, they are not required. I made mine out of old bike inner tubes.

[@johnbosco8209]

I always enjoy your videos

[@marciebaker9816]

I am having the hardest time figuring out how to harness my horse with my new harness! The buckles on the reins won't even fit through the saddle loops!

[@danutebright8292]

You could try putting the reins through the saddle terrets (saddle loops) by the other end, front to back. then you only have one buckle to worry about. Otherwise, you may need to change buckles. How wide are your reins ?

[@spartaeus]

I've noticed that some harnesses have loops on the britchen for the reins to pass through and some don't. Is it just a matter of preference? Do those extra loops help or hinder driving? And also is it possible to eliminate the crupper? My horse is always scratching his butt on the fence gate after going out for a drive. I know a lot of people don't use cruppers on mules.

[@danutebright8292]

If you mean the extra terrets on the hip straps, those are more often used with Draft horses driven on looser rein contact. Those added terrets keep the reins from drooping down low, especially during farm work with a lot of standing and walking. They can interfere with your rein contact doing more precise work.

[@danutebright8292]

As far as cruppers, you need to be sure the crupper and the area under your horse's tail is clean. If it is, and he doesn't scratch himself raw, check that the backstrap or crupper aren't too tight. Oddly enough, too loose can also cause rubs.

[@comesahorseman]

The footman's loop is a nifty idea!

[@danutebright8292]

Footman's loop is pretty standard on shafts for holdback attachment.

[@arnhemseptember2009]

Very good video.

[@lawrenceearle4134]

wonderful video. how much weight can a horse pull with the breast collar? how do you know when to go to a full collar system?

[@LoganTheMovieDude2008]

I want to try this

[@garryhill6150]

Can I ask why you have quick release on the sadle for the shafts and the elbow for the traces yet you rap the straps of the Breeching around the shafts not making a easy or quick release?

[@danutebright8292]

If one unbuckles the backstrap buckle, (or even places a small quick release here) the entire back half of the harness (backstrap and crupper, and breeching) will not be attached to the horse anymore. Everyone has a balance of what they wish to remove quickly, based on likelihood of needing to do so.

[@gulsatar2266]

Many time I will try to do this but I can't probably

[@maharaj6904]

Hi goodmornig

[@sastampink3243]

Is there a (safety?) reason you put the reins on first and separately and don’t just keep them attached to the bridle?

[@deborahnicol622]

My personal preference is the way Dana does it in the video. I think it is easier to control as you're not trying to thread reins through the terrets while attached to the horse. It was the way I was taught though I really don't think it makes a lot of difference in the end.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

@@deborahnicol622 I was taught it like that too. We had official lessons and this is how it's officially done. Also when taking the exam this is how it's done.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

I've seen in many video's Americans use seperate reins and leave them on the bit. As you can see this marathon harness has the reins connected so you work the other way around. I would NEVER keep the reins attached to the bridle.

[@danutebright8292]

If you mean, reins run through terrets, looped on backstrap then put on bridle : if they were kept on the bridle, would would need to run them out of 2 sets of terrets (saddle and neckstrap) to remove them and the bridle.

[@robertbutler8004]

By the time it takes to harness this horse I changed my mind and instead I will go for a swim!!

[@sarahladd2261]

Would be good to have a kicking strap as part of the demo.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

I don't think you use one on a marathon harness. I can't remember ever seeing one during competitions.

[@FancyFields]

What brand of harness is that?

[@tracyblack1509]

At the end of the video the manufacturer is mentioned. Yonie is a wonderful manufacturer. I have a pair harness made by them. Go directly to the manufacturer. Avoid distributors. Especially CDE (Carriage Driving Essentials ) out of California. Stay far away from that company.

[@yoniesharnessshopllc]

This harness was a custom made harness for Danute Bright that was designed by Yonies

[@debbienixon4460]

What kind of bit are you using ? Snaffle

[@warriormaiden9829]

It's a low port Liverpool bit. Liverpools are often used in driving, as for proper presentation, each horse needs to be equipped the same. But some horses need a quicker 'response' than others. The lower the reins are attached, the quicker the response will be.

[@lesliejacobs1439]

Where could I get a gullet strap?

[@AMDrivingSociety]

There are many driving vendors who sell leather or synthetic gullet straps, the ADS does not promote one vendor over the other. Here are a couple longtime members and advertisers that I feel confident can help you out.
DrivingEssentials.com
ivccarriage.com