| Author | Message | ||
     Frances Collings |
Hi Jon Just give us a ring if you need new Zilco Harness Frances | ||
| Jon White |
All, Thank you very much for all your advice and offers of help. Its all proved very useful. I'm now on the lookout for a new harness and I think I'll be looking to change the carriage for something bigger but I'll have to sell mine first. Thanks. Jon | ||
| Frances Collings |
Hi Jon If we can give you any adivce regarding harness and your carriage just give Ian Collings of Jack in a Box a ring on 01424 756021 he will be pleased to talk to you. | ||
| Janet Pilling |
Really like your pony! :o) I hope you get your niggles sorted out and get out and about - you will love it! I had a lot of help when I started ten years ago and made hundreds of new friends. Carriage drivers love new faces and are very supportive. | ||
| Fiona Powell |
p.s. (I'm told I didn't make it clear) 125 cms is the minimum (rear) trackwidth for BHDTA marathon vehicles. 138 cms is the min for dressage and cones... (singles). You will find quick reference rules and the complete rulebook under Reference on this site. Jon, please don't get put off! It's worth getting these things right before you go to your first competition, if that's your intention: I'm sure you will find people living near you who will be helpful - as well as your instructor! | ||
| Rosemary Neale |
Hi John, What a nice looking pony! I have to agree with your instructor that your carriage is too small both for you and for your pony. Fiona has offered some very helpful advice but looking from the picture, if you were to lower the tugs on the harness sufficiently to improve your line of draught they would then come off the widest part of the pad, where they should sit, and probably be below the pad. Also your breast collar is too short and too narrow for the pony's comfort and looking at your breeching that looks too short aswell - it may be that you have bought pony size but your pony is more of a cob size - always easier to get things made smaller than to enlarge them! If you go on to the British Driving Society website www.britishdrivingsociety.co.uk they have a wealth of books and videos to purchase which give very helpful and knowledgeable advice - I would recommend John Parkers' harness charts which only cost £5 and will give you all the info you need. | ||
| Fiona Powell |
Hi, Jon, you're in the right place to ask these questions! What a nice pony and a very useful-looking carriage. Apologies for the long answer - I'm often asked similar questions and there isn't one short answer! I'm not an instructor (but I've had lots of instruction!) nor a professional carriage fitter, but I'll stick my neck out and I'm sure others wiser than I will correct my errors - and then we'll all learn something! I'm assuming that you'd prefer to make the best of this carriage than to get another? I can imagine what I'd be told if this were my turnout. In a nutshell, for best control your reins should ideally be in a straight line from your hand to the pony's mouth, not bent over his rump. To me, this means you need to be higher in your seat, and this would also rid you of the "loo-seat" squatting position. You will be firmer in your seat when your leg above the knee is sloping downwards, and when you can brace your feet in the footwell and your back against the back of the seat. You'll also have a better view of where you are going. Given that your instructor has already given his/her opinion - do we assume that the seat cannot be adjusted so it's further back? If it could go back, this would probably give your legs more room and make you a bit higher. I used a wedge-shaped wooden box under my seat for my bigger pony. Perhaps I'd like to try the tugs a little lower (on the swell of the saddle) and - possibly - the shafts lengthened to get the pony further in front of the carriage? I'm an event organiser and people often come to me with similar questions. If you have a pure marathon carriage I would take that to mean this is 125cms wide (trackwidth - measure on the ground, to outside of rear wheels) and that it may not have an extending rear axle. If you wish to drive in indoor horse driving trials, this is fine. If, however, you wish to do club driving trials, most clubs require a minimum of 138cms track width (rear wheels only) - although some clubs might allow you to run hors concours (hc - to do the competition but not get placed). Another thought - for outdoor hdt your groom must be seated either beside or behind you for dressage and cones... (A stoic groom might be able to sit on this carriage as it is?) I don't know where you are geographically - there are carriage builders and people with the skills to adjust your carriage around the UK and they could probably advise you on modifications, provided they are specified accurately. Do go to someone who knows what they are doing and is up-to-date on the rules! Lots of people have carriages that are too heavy: this is not likely to be a problem with this one. 90kgs is the lowest weight (outdoors) for a single pony. Mine weighs about 145kgs and my 13-hand ponies are quick enough with this. It all depends on what you want to do! At least you have time before the outdoor season starts to get your carriage sorted out, I hope. p.s. Martin at Pony and Carriage would, I'm sure, be happy to talk to you, and Rene Schoop gives free advice, too - see www.carriagetrader.co.uk or call 07850 385 499. We are a very helpful lot - please don't be afraid to ask! If you decide to change your carriage, many businesses will offer part-exchange - or you might find someone to swap with on this forum. Please tell us how you get on! Hope this helps and that we'll meet you competing in 2011. | ||
| Vic Kusin |
Hi jon. Here's your picture of H with his carriage.  | ||
| Jon White |
Ruth, Could you email me a photo please? My email address is jonjames.whiteATvirgin.net (replace the AT). Where are you? Jon | ||
| Ruth Auton |
Jon, if you like the Rene carriage we have one of his for sale that would fit a 14.3 and is a 3 phase competiton carriage, with telescopic shafts, grooms seat, extendable axle and even a spare drivers seat! The seat is adjustable [ slides back and forwards to get you in the right position for your height]. i can send you aphoto if you want or you're welcome to come and have a look / try. Ruth | ||
| Martin Weare |
Hi Jon As vic has mentioned a photo would be very helpful Just as a very approximate guide without knowing a little more We would suggest for a 14.3hh a seat height of approximately 135cm wheels front 85cm Rear 75cm Hope this helps a little Martin | ||
| Vic Kusin |
Hi Jon. A picture would be most helpful to let people advise you on the fit of your vehicle. Do you have a photo of your turnout taken side-on or can you take one ? If you are not sure how to put it on the forum, email it to me at website@horsedrivingtrials.co.uk and I'll put it on for you. Vic | ||
| Jon White |
Hi, I'm new to driving and I need some help confirming what size carriage is right. We broke our 14.3 Haflinger 'H' about 6 months ago and started with a 2 wheeled carriage. I bought a used Rene Schoop marathon carriage a couple of months ago and, although it fits and I'm using it, my driving instructor says its too small.The front wheels are 70cm in diameter and the rears are 60cm. There's plenty of room for H and the shafts slope gently up to the tugs.From the seat my line of sight is clearly over H's rump. Is it ok or do I need something bigger? I've searched and searched the internet but there's nothing I can find to advise me. What do you think? Jon |