Harness Fitting

The Ideal Harness is an “off the rack” harness. In other words, the sizes are a lot like clothing sizes that you buy at the store. This is one of the reasons we are able to sell such a feature packed, high quality harness for an affordable price. Since horses vary widely in size and shape they do not always fit into a stock size harness. To handle this eventuality we may substitute parts from different size harnesses. For example a pony may wear all pony size harness parts, but require a larger breast collar and bridle. In this case we might substitute a cob breast collar, neck strap and bridle for the reciprocal pony parts. This is known as a semi-stock harness, and the price of the larger size harness will apply.  In some cases, an acceptable fit can not be obtained with a semi-stock harness. If this is the case we can create a semi-custom harness. In this case the parts of the harness that don’t fit from stock can be custom built by Ideal Harness in the Netherlands, or a local harness maker. We can advise you when it is best to have the parts made in the United States, and when it would be best to have Ideal build the custom parts.  There is an additional charge for this service in addition to the base cost of the harness. As with most custom harness parts there will be a wait anywhere from two to six weeks. Once a custom harness part has been built to your specification, the part can not be returned or exchanged.  How to obtain the best fitting harness “Measure twice, cut once.” Print out the harness measuring guide and form and bring it to the barn with you. Take your time and carefully take each measurement listed in the manner instructed on the measuring guide sheet. Once you have completed all measurements, go back and measure again. If there are measurements that are different from your first measure to the second measure, check it one more time and take the average. Give us these measurements when ordering your harness. The harness is not being made to these measurements. We will look at these measurements, and choose the parts and pieces that will most closely fit what you have given us for measurements.  There is no substitute for hands on fitting of a harness to your horse. If you have an opportunity to visit the Coachman's Delight, Inc. retail booth at a local show, you’ll have the best opportunity get achieve a great fit. Take a look at the calendar of events page to find out where we will be setting up a booth to make an appointment for a harness fitting. If we are not scheduled to have a booth at an event, but Andy is there as a clinician, coach or competitor, a harness fitting may be scheduled as well. We can not schedule harness fitting for events where Andy is a learner judge or judge. Harness fittings can also be scheduled in Norfolk, MA.  The next best thing to a harness fitting appointment with Coachman's Delight, is to try on a friends harness. If you know someone who has an Ideal harness, trying it on for size will help everyone understand where that size harness fits well, and where it doesn’t. If you take lessons with a qualified carriage driving instructor, he or she should be willing to help obtain the correct fit for you harness. Once you have received your harness, put it on your horse or pony and check its fit along side the Coachman’s Fit Guide. Bear in mind that the harness will soften and relax with use. So being buckled into the first hole from the point of a strap is more desirable than being buckled into the last hole from point, since you may later wish to shorten that strap. A picture is worth a thousand words. Take a picture of your horse in your new harness and e-mail them to us. Take several pictures from a variety of angles, near and far. We can use these pictures to help you obtain the best fit possible with your new harness.