cruppers

[mink]

could we discuss the pro's and cons of using cruppers or not using them? mink

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Mink, Here is my two cents, Many harnesses have them. In some of the those there is a real functional purpose. It is either, part of a over head check, or part of holding a harness on. Often however, if the check is not being used, the crupper is not doing anything. In those cases I like to take them off, just to save a few ounces and a few seconds in putting a harness on. Short answer: look at the harness and figure out if the crupper is doing anything.

[MNMULE]

I agree with Donn, I personally don't check anything up and so don't have a crupper on any harness right now. I did however have a pair of belgians whose britchen would never stay in place and I used the crupper to fix that problem.

[blue80]

I've only used a crupper when peeling back to a half harness (removing the britchen) whenever stopping power is not needed. Crupper then keeps things squared up front.

Kevin

[Lingodog13]

My harness is the Yankee or Mormon britchin type, and it needs a crupper to keep everything right.

[Donn Hewes]

Hi Lingo dog, I beleve that is a britchen that goes right across the tail head. Is that right? If so, it is a great stopping and backing rig, and I bet most folks arn't familiar with them (not that common). Could you post a picture some time. Thanks, Donn

[LostFarmer]

Not Lingo but I had some picture close at hand. I like this style for the simple reason the britchin is out of the poop zone. A team can hold or back a tremendous load with this style of britchen. LF

[mink]

thats a different type harness , the crupper defineately keeps the britchen on that set-up from going up their back. mink

[grey]

I use belly-backer western box breeching harness (same as just about everyone over on this half of the country) and I use a crupper. Don't see any real reason not to use one, and it does help stabilize the harness, particularly if you aren't working hitched to something with a pole or shafts. I do use a sidecheck about half the time, but only to keep the horses from dropping their heads and eating or rubbing their bridles on the neck yoke when my hands aren't on the lines. So I do find the crupper helpful in that regard as well.

It's not ideal, but my crupper forks are attached to the britchen spider ring with a snap - so it's removeable - but I never find myself removing it. The snap isn't sewn on, it's just held on with a conway. Eliminating the snap would require me to split the fork further and punch some more holes... pain in the butt. So the snap remains. Face-down for safety's sake.

[Marshall]

I also use the hip brithcen harnesses. Not only are they out of the poop region, they are also lighter.