We recently became the proud owners of a wild Nevada Mustang. (For info on aquiring one for yourself for cheap to loving homes, please contact me). This horse is quickly progressing in ability and training, and I think this spring< i would like to train her to plow the ggarden and maybe pull a cart. That much muscle needs to be put to work! I would like info on how and where to get harness, etc for not alot of cash. I would also appreciate info on how to get her used to pulling an object and proper fitting of harnessing. PS despite numerous "warnings" that mustangs are headstrong and pains in the wazoows, this horse has proved to be VERY intelligent, VERY trainable aand a pleasure to work with. I really recommend looking into adopting one- IF you have the time and facilities, they can be rewarding to own and work with! (This program is sponsored by BLM and is legal- I know, I know, you thought it was illegal to sell or trade wild horses in your state.)

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), December 22, 2001

Answers

Can't help with harness, but I can vouch for mustangs intellegence,and ease of teaching. My brother has a Kiger mare that was caught in the E Oregon area. A friend also has a Kiger stallion that is 10 years old,and a real sweetheart.Here is a picture I painted of him at 4 yrs old. Have fun with your new friend. Jacki

-- Jackie Goss (jgossspecialtees@msn.com.), December 22, 2001.

I'll try again with the pictures. the first is of Zorra. The second is of Puma at about 4 yrs old. Jacki

-- Jackie Goss (jgossspecialtees@msn.com.), December 22, 2001.

We are keeping and riding my best friend's Mustang. He has over 1000 official endurance miles. He is tough, low maintenance, and has feet like slate. He is 12 now, caught when he was 3. He is a lot of fun and good for beginners now.

-- Debbie in Mo (risingwind@socket.net), December 23, 2001.

Kevin-----do you have a sale barn in your area that also has horse sales???? If you do /they probaby have a tack sale along with the horse sale----we have gotten good harness at tack sales---look in your area paper for tack sales---

If you know any horse traders--they also know where to buy tack!!! My Dad (was) & my brother is a horse trader & traders also know where to buy & sell tack & who has it forsale--- Usually your horse shoer--knows who has horses for sale & tack---who owns what in your area---(if you shoe your own horses) just ask one in your area--- Use your network you already have & don't realize it--- I live in cattle country & there are plenty of "real cowboys" left here---all have horses & tack---so tack sales are plentiful!!!! You can also look on sale bills for auctions in your area---we have found lots of tack & harness in our area with a sale bill & gone to the auction---& sometimes gotten really good buys.

-- Sonda (sgbruce@birch.net), December 23, 2001.

Hey Kevin,

You mentioned in your hay post that you come up through PA frequently..do you go anywhere near New Holland, PA? There is a large horse auction there every Monday. They sell tack prior to the auctioning of the horses. I'm not positive but they may sell hay at New Holland too. There's also a horse auction in NY every other Friday in Unadilla, NY. The tack at Unadilla starts around 1pm--I go to this one every so often for leadropes, water buckets, and the like.

Stacy in NY---> you are within 5 miles of my farm when you pass the junction of 17 east and 81 north. I don't have any hay to sell this year tho...

-- Stacy (KincoraFarm@aol.com), December 23, 2001.

Anyone who is considering training and working with a plow horse simply must subscribe to the SMALL FARMER'S JOURNAL. They have a website. I don't know how I got along without them all these years. Anything you need to know about plowing with a horse or pulling a wagon/cart from the harness to the hay is available from them.

-- Red Neck (Secesh@CSA.com), December 23, 2001.

Another good place to look for info on harness, training, & advice from others with experience is www.ruralheritage.com This magazine specializes in work animals (heavy horses, mules, & oxen).

Their forum is listed on their site as "front porch".

Though you can use a plow harness on a cart (usually), it's not as nice looking as a cart harness. I wouldn't use a cart harness to plow with (even a small garden plot). It has a totally different fit then a work harness, has thinner straps, & will hurt the horse in some places if it dosen't break first.

A work harness will have a collar that fits over the neck (sitting just above the shoulders), while a cart harness has a wide band of leather/nylon across the front (breast & shoulders). This is only one difference (of many) that I have observed. There can also be other styles of harness I don't know about. Rural Heritage can answer any of your questions.

Hope this helps.

animalfarms

-- animalfarms (jawjlewis@netzero.net), December 23, 2001.

I READ SOMEWHERE THAT IF YOU ASK AROUND, LIKE OLD FARMS,AND AT THE LOCAL TAVERNS, YOU CAN GET OLD BITS AND PIECES, AND MAKE YOUR OWN HARNESS. ALSO YOU CAN LOOK AT PICTURES OF ASIAN-MAKESHIFT HARNESSES.

-- susan kyle (susan_kyle@optusnet.com.au), February 17, 2002.