What is an overcheck rein for?

[Debbie]

We oftentimes pass Amish buggies with their standardbreds trotting along. Almost every single one has the overcheck ...at least I think that's what its called? Its the rein that attaches to the collar, and then goes up and over the horse's head to attach to the bridle. It keeps the head from dropping too low, but my question is why? What is the purpose?? Do they get tangled up with the reins somehow if their heads go too low? I'm not criticising, I'm just wanting to understand what the purpose of this would be.

[greydales]

The overcheck I used to see in horse training was indeed used to stop the head going down, as a kind of 'head set' for upheaded breeds like the Morgan and the Saddlebred - so I imagine the reason is the same in driving.

Maybe it's more important that horses don't stretch down in harness?

[The Moo]

Hackneys use them as well, mainly for 'cosmetic' purposes these days.

Also, logically, if the head if up (by whatever means you choose,) the horse/pony is unable to buck and kick.

[Debbie]

Ahhhh.... I think that may have been it...the fact that the horse might not be able to buck/kick. The Amish are very practical, so I'm not sure that its for the cosmetic reasons. Thanks for the info gals

[SuzieP]

Surely a horse needs to get it's head down into the collar to pull heavy loads? If the head is forced to be held up then won't it be more difficult for the horse to pull. I don't drive though and speak from total ignorance, and am a bit confused by this one....

[dalesponyrider]

I though it was something that was complained about in Black Beauty for just that reason!

[SuzieP]

It WAS Linda!

[admin]

LOL I was just about to mention black beauty. That bit had me in FLOODS! sniff sniff sniff

[SuzieP]

LOL Olivia - the whole book had me in floods - even the happy bits! And the film!!!! - I saw the early B&W version when I was about 5 and clearly remember running to my Mum, hysterical because the horses were going to be burned in their stables.

[Rowndan]

oh black beauty. sniff sniff. i used to have the tune to it as my ring tone but had to chage it as it wold often make my cry lol

debbie. the amish people fasinate me. would love to see them for real.

[Debbie]

The Amish are very much like most farmers in their ways. They do raise excellent produce and their meats and cheeses are usually quite good. However, they are very much of the mindset that an animal is just that.... an animal, a tool nothing more.

Most take reasonable care of their livestock, but no, trust me you really would not want to see how their horses are treated. Granted they are very good at breaking horses to drive, and the horses are incredibly well trained afterwards....rock solid...but most animal lovers would be upset.

To be fair, the only time I see the overcheck used is for when the horse is put to buggy. So they are pulling the buggy plus however many family members. I've never seen one of their horses struggling to pull, many trot down the road at a spanking, solid trot mile after mile, only occasionally breaking into a few strides of canter if a semi passes them, or if they are a little nervous about the cars. Yes, they've certainly got upside down necks, and they are not being able to pull at their full capacity, I've no doubt about that.

However, on the flipside, here is a group of people that use their horses day in day out for transportation. They need their horse to go miles day in day out, and be steady in their job. In the US, retired from the track Standardbreds are more difficult to rehome because they've never been put to saddle. Most horses are used for ridden work, not carriage work. So here you have quite a lot of horses needing a new home, and the Amish need reliable buggy horses. The horses will be cared for, shoes, teeth, feed (although not as much feed as I would like), but most importantly, these horses get to be used for the exact purpose they were bred for ....which is trotting long distances daily.

Like I said, there's much I would prefer to see differently, but at least these horses do have a working home.

[acorn]

American made harness (or those made for the American market) seem always to have sidechecks or overchecks - including the draft horse harnesses, This surprised me for the same reasons you have given above - that horses need to lower their heads to pull properly. My English made harness doesn't have any type of check - maybe thanks to Black Beauty or rather Anna Sewell??

For those who like to read, Rudyard Kipling's short story "The Walking Delegate" (which is available on line - try searching for it) has a lot of very interesting observations on American driving practice of about 100 years ago including some observations on check reins. Kipling's American wife raised, trained and drove Morgans and this story is set in Vermont where they lived for a time. The more I learn about American driving, the more I value this story and I finally learned what some of the vehicles were - thanks to the internet.

[The Moo]

I'll have a look for that, I am always interested in the way things are done and have been done.

My english made harness has the brass hook/knobble/terret for the overcheck, the harness maker always puts it on for looks knowing they rarely get used these days.

[harleydales]

My older harness had the terret, it was handy when we started pulling to attach the tyre too!!
My new harness doesn't have one.

The Amish have been brought to the fore this last week or so haven't they? Bet they wish the media would 'go away' and leave them in peace

[The Moo]

LOL Jane i thought you were supposed to attach the tyre to the traces so they got used to pushing into the breastcollar.

I'd better find out as Cherry had the blinkers on over the weekend.