Harness Rehab: Nearly Finished!

What started as a filthy, neglected box full of leather parts....

...became a clean, conditioned, usable box of leather parts...

...Which form a nearly complete, fully functional driving harness!

Closeup of the headstall. It is too big for this horse, and does need a throat latch, which will pull the blinkers away from the horses eyes.

This was the headstall at the beginning.

This harness is missing only two pieces: the throat latch for the headstall and one of the traces, which function to attach the harness to the actual cart or carriage. The buckle on one of the lines (reins) also needs replacing. Fortunately, I know of some leather craftsmen who can make the missing parts and replace the buckle.
I'll post photos of the harness in use as soon as it's ready.

The restoration process to date:
Clean the leather with warm water and original Dawn dish soap.
Wipe dry.
Second cleaning of the leather with glycerine soap.
Conditioning of the leather, twice, with Lexol leather conditioner.

Many thanks go to Polo for an excellent job modeling. Polo is an Off The Track Thoroughbred, OTTB, originally trained for flat racing. He's never worn a harness before!

#harnessrehab

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