swindle trees ?

[yvonnemiller]

ive bought a cart for my shetland but it doesnt have a swindle tree is it neccery to use a swindle tree, ive been told it doesnt need one im confused the trap is very light weight . so would it be ok to use a breast harness or will i need to use a collar instead ?

[Wally]

You must always use a breast collar with a swingletree, the horse, no matter how light the vehicle, will get sore shoulders.

If you can find a full collar to fit a Shetland let me know! :) ;) It's easier to get a swingletree fitted, there must be a local odd jobber about who can make you one?

My BIG Shetland takes a 17.5 inch collar, he's a 41.5 inch Wells type.

[yvonnemiller]

ive bid on one on ebay, i dont want him to get sore shoulders when he starts work !

[Chip]

One of my light weight carts came without a SWINGLEtree, I bought one of ebay. It's yet to be fitted!! If you only do a small amount of driving you can get away with it.

[yvonnemiller]

for all your info, its so confusing when youre just starting out !

[Wally]

If you only do a small amount of driving it can still give the horse sore shoulders even in a very short space of time. It's not worth making the horse collar shy.

[Alfies-slave]

When your swingle arrives, make sure whoever fits it (and designs the attatchment to the cart) realises that the entire pulling power of the pony will go through the one nut and bolt. Make sure it is a good nut and bolt!

[yvonnemiller]

i will make sure i do that ! as i dont want any mishaps ! thankyou

[Chip]

I agree that you really should have one

[tazzle22]

a hint I wish I had had before one of those nuts broke on a vehicle of mine .......it would have saved Taz a bang on the hocks ....

.... a strap or even two placed round the swingle tree as well as the frame of the vehicle is like having belt AND braces .... if bolt breaks then straps stop ST hitting horse :eek:

[Esther.D]

I had my extra swingle-tree (for driving them as a unicorn) made up by a blacksmith on the local industrial estate (before I moved up here).

[Zaf]

my husband has made several for the various vehicles I drive (he is in a metalwork trade I hasten to add), there are several ways to attach it to a vehicle and often depends on what sort of cart/carriage it is - on one old market cart I use the swingle tree is attached by leather straps to the splinter bar with chains going back to the axle which works perfectly well (and is fairly traditional), you dont necessarily have to attach it with a bolt which does need to be strong as already mentioned and some sort of nut that wont come loose while you are driving.

[klebert]

If you can find a full collar to fit a Shetland let me know! :) ;) It's easier to get a swingletree fitted, there must be a local odd jobber about who can make you one?

My BIG Shetland takes a 17.5 inch collar, he's a 41.5 inch Wells type.

Try this site Wally - http://www.smuckersharness.com/pg42.html - their collars start at a teeny 11 inches!! :p

[Wally]

I have found collars it the ruddy hames and tugs that are being difficult now! :o

Zaf, trouble with these small exercise carts they are on spindles and have no axle, so you're scuppered for the chain on the axle method. Our 1906 Spindle backed Gig has that method of draught. ie chains to axle.

[Zaf]

I took a look as I'd like a collar for one of my Friesians - she seems a difficult size to fit, but its a US company, do they ship abroad? I didnt notice

[Zaf]

I have found collars it the ruddy hames and tugs that are being difficult now! :o

Zaf, trouble with these small exercise carts they are on spindles and have no axle, so you're scuppered for the chain on the axle method. Our 1906 Spindle backed Gig has that method of draught. ie chains to axle.

yes of course, thinking about our exercise carts thats perfectly true, I must admit I'm not keen on the bolted on type of swingle tree and I check mine on the buggy before I use it every time, there is no means of attaching an alternative type of fixing on that.

[klebert]

[QUOTE=Wally;1390395]I have found collars it the ruddy hames and tugs that are being difficult now! :o
QUOTE]

Show and Work Hames - http://www.smuckersharness.com/pg51.html

or you could try Aaron Martin Harness in Canada (I've bought a lot of harness from these guys and they are so helpful!). Their collars can start at 10 inches! :eek:

http://www.aaronmartin.com/product.php?cat_id=189&catview=31&submit=View

[Wally]

I was going to ask you where you got your stuff from, now I know!

[klebert]

It works out much less expensive when buying harness from America or Canada than sadly buying from the UK.

This seems to be another good website for mini/small harness - http://www.nikkisponyexpress.net/AmishHarness.html


And you get people in the States who are just focused on teeny horses... http://stores.ebay.com/MINIATURE-HORSE (although some of this sellers items are to be very frowned upon :mad:).

[Wally]

Klebert, how much did they stiff you for import taxes?

How did you go about doing it?

some of this sellers items are to be very frowned upon ).
__________________


I have not looked at your last link, but I bet I know what you are cross about, overchecks by any chance??

[Wally]

I nearly wet me knickers LOL!
What in the name of everything holy do they need a mini chifney for, most minis, if they stood full height couldn't reach up to box you on the chin!

and as for those leg chains! well!....