hackney driving harness

xloopylozzax

xloopylozzax

Active Member
Jan 14, 2008
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Hi
(anybody who has read my other posts will know i am sorting my dads collections out at the moment and this is an extension of that, just more specific)

we have a crupper off a set of harness (not sure if in hand like stallion harness or driven) it is completely different to a normal crupper as in it supports the whole dock and carries it high up.

anybody else seen anything like it or knows what it really is- just picked up at a local horse fair for our general interest, not for use.

no pictures and cant find anything on the net sorry!
 
Found these too, Have I heard them refered to as spoon docks????
 

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its really long and all black leather i cant explain it but it supports the whole dock not just the base. probably used for training because it would look stupid in the showring.
 
I have seen and had available the frames to make them, but never took any notice as it's not something I have ever needed, or been asked to make!.

must sit up in class and pay attention!
 
When I first starting working with Hackneys and I came across them they had me some what bewildered lol. The first one is a training one but you use several smaller cruppers first then slowly build them up. I used to use a small crupper then put a tail baddage around it then another to slowly lift the tail so your horse didn't notice until eventually you progress to the "Becks".
 
I think it is only a Hackney thing.

Hackney driving is so specialised it has a little niche of its own in the driving world. Generally they have their own judges and I have seen well respected, experieinced carriage driving judges reading up and swatting, as they have been lumbered with the Hackney classes too! ;) :D :D
 
I haven't seen other breeds in this country use them but I have abroad. Hackneys are very specialised but horses are horses and all the basics are the same it's just as you go on with the training if they are going to be shown that there are a few things you do alittle differently.
 
Maybe I should have said the "showing" of Hackneys is more specialised.

Hackneys in ordinary vehicles not "viceroys" (is it???? ) must be very similar to any driving horse.

The Hackney show harness and waggons are put together a bit differently to how I'd put another breed up for the show.
 
Wally said:
Maybe I should have said the "showing" of Hackneys is more specialised.

Hackneys in ordinary vehicles not "viceroys" (is it???? ) must be very similar to any driving horse.
Click to expand...

Exactly the same, you break a hackney exactly the same way you break any horse or pony. The wagons are called Viceroys and Box wagons. It you are going to produce one for the ring you would be doing more what I call gymnastic work as the centre of gravity on a hackney is slightly further back than either a riding horse or another driving horse you want them sitting back as much as possible to "free" the shoulders up thus having the animal so light infront so he can throw his feet away. If he is in the shape of a riding horse he will be over his front legs losing alot of action.

Wally said:
The Hackney show harness and waggons are put together a bit differently to how I'd put another breed up for the show.
Click to expand...

If you look hackney show harness its very fine consists of blinkered bridle, fine reins, breast collar and traces and a pad, no breeching. (Some have over checks some don't)that is what you are required to wear in the ring, you are not allowed to use the "Becks Tail stand" in the ring as that is just for training. Work harness just has alot more "D's" and buckles than show harness and is usually made of raw hide even buffalo hind as that seems to last a life time.

PS I can't put pictures up as I didn't take the ones I have on here although there of me they were taken by a show photographer.
 
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The collars always seem so high compared to how one would set it for a more "draughty" horse, forward built (if you get my meaning) is this to free up the front end?
 
Like this one,

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgu...e&sa=X&oi=image_result&resnum=1&ct=image&cd=2

.........and again here, the collar is so high! With a Viceroy and the like, is the weight being pulled from the pad through the shafts?

http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...um=1&hl=en&rls=GGLF,GGLF:1970-01,GGLF:en&sa=N


I used to have to make boots with rings on the toes........or was it the heels??? for a hackney trainer. I have deen diagrams of them in use.......and decided I get into enough of a pickle with long reins and tandem reins, I will steer clear of intensive Hackney training.....the fire brigade would need to be called to get me out of my witter! :D :D :D
 
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Wally said:
The collars always seem so high compared to how one would set it for a more "draughty" horse, forward built (if you get my meaning) is this to free up the front end?
Click to expand...

Yes they are alittle higher than a usual draught horse, the breast collar should sit just below the wind pipe and be free from the shoulder to allow as much freedom as possible. Hackney breast collars are fine they don't need to be as substantial as other collars as the wagons are so light they are like skate boards. The harness is designed purely to show as much of the animal off as possible you don't want them swamped in harness. You don't need breeching as the harness is used specifically for the ring and hopefully there aren't any hills or bumps ( not all show rings are like this as i'm sure you know wally !) You don't want a hackney with his head pulling in the collar as it were, you want him up and light as possible at the front end or you will loose action. The wagons are so very light and once rolling the horse doesn't know it's pulling it.
 
Wally said:
Like this one,

I used to have to make boots with rings on the toes........or was it the heels??? for a hackney trainer. I have deen diagrams of them in use.......and decided I get into enough of a pickle with long reins and tandem reins, I will steer clear of intensive Hackney training.....the fire brigade would need to be called to get me out of my witter! :D :D :D
Click to expand...

These are called "boots" and the rings sit at the heel, it does take some practice to long rein and work this system plus carry a whip but not impossible, you have just got to be handy with your hands and pay attention to get the tension right.
 
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