FAQ's:

How do I decide which collar to use?
How do I measure for a blanket?
How do I measure for a bridle?
How do I measure for a bit?
How do I measure for and fit a collar?
How do I measure for a harness?
How do I measure for hames?
What Makes Chimacum Harness Unique?
What if I want to return an Item?
What if my custom ordered item doesn't fit?
What is betathane?
What is biothane?
Should I blanket my horse?
Will your harness fit my donkey?
Will your harness fit my pony?

How do I decide which collar to use?

Different horses need different collars. Use the table of images and information below to help you choose which collar will best suit your needs. Please note: All our collars are handmade and may differ slightly from images on this site. All are of the highest quality and craftsmanship.

	Full Sweeny (FS) are for heavy and "stud like" necks, where the neck is extremely thick at the upper part of the neck.		Half Sweeny (HS) fits necks that are side and thick at the upper part of the neck. Most Draft Horses use HS.
	Full Face (FF) or straight collars fits flat and slender necks. Most buggy horses use FF.		Mule Collars have very straight sides and are available by special order.

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How do I measure for a blanket?

To get the best fit measure from the center of the chest, along the side of the horse in a straight line, to the center of the tail. When ordering, round up to the next higher inch.

For draft horses it is sometimes helpful to measure the drop (from the center of the back to where the blanket edge should be on the horse)

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How do I measure for a bridle?

1. Measure from the corner of the horse’s mouth on one side, over the poll (behind the ears) to the corner of the horse’s mouth on the other side. This is called the poll measurement.
2. Measure from temple to temple across the horse’s brow. This is called the browband measurement.
3. Measure all the way around the horse’s nose approximately 2 fingers below the tear bones (located about midway down the horse’s face). This is the location for a cavason. The measurement is called the Noseband measurement

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How do I measure for a bit?

If you have a bit which fits your horse, measure the mouthpiece from inside the cheek on one side to the inside of the cheek on the other.

If you need to start from scratch, use a smooth straight stick, ruler or dowel and place it in the horse’s mouth as if it were a bit. Then mark the stick with a marker or pen at the outside of the lip. Once you remove the stick from the mouth, simply measure between your marks with a measuring tape or ruler.

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How do I measure for and fit a collar?

It does not matter how well a horse collar is made, if it is not properly fitted to the horse it is sure to hurt him. It is therefore necessary to use the greatest care in selecting the proper shape and size collar for your animal.

	To measure a collar, place a ruler against the collar cap and measure to the inside brim of the throat as illustrated right.
	For size of draft, measure around the collar at the widest part, as illustrated right.
	When fitting a horse with a collar there should not be any more space between the horse's neck and the throat of the collar than will allow your four fingers, when laid flat on the inside of the throat of the collar, to pass freely. The illustration at right shows how a collar should be fitted.

If care is taken in fitting the collar and adjusting the hames so the hame tug comes over the center of the draft, you will have eliminated all trouble with sore necks and shoulders and the horse will work with ease and comfort. More collared horses are ruined by collars which are fitted too large than from any other cause.

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How do I measure for a harness?

Measuring for a harness is not difficult, but it is essential to getting a correct fit. See the following key and illustration below.

A. From corner of mouth, over poll, to other corner of mouth.
B. Length around nose, taken about two fingers width below the prominent cheek bone.
C. Length of girth.
D. Length of back from position of harness saddle to base of tail.
E. Length of horse, from point of shoulder to buttock.
F. Height at withers.
G. Length from top of base of neck at proper position of collar. Line should be straight, not conforming to horse's body.

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How do I measure for hames?

The size of the hames is dependant on the size of the collar. Buggy hames are generally the same size as the collar and Work Hames (Farm Hames) vary based on the size of the collar.

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What makes Chimacum Harness Unique?

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What if I want to return an Item?

See our Store Policy page.

We accept returns of like new in-stock merchandise within 30 days of purchase. A 15% restocking fee will be charged to any merchandise returned without its original packaging. If we have sent an incorrect item we will pay for its return and ship the correct item as soon as possible.

We do our best to make sure each item is exactly what you’d like. Special order items which were made to your specifications are not be returnable. If you have questions about measuring, we will be delighted to answer them - just ask!

Again, please see our Store Policy page.

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What if my custom ordered item doesn't fit?

Again, please see our store policy page. We try our best to make sure each item is exactly what you’d like. Special order items which were made to your specifications are not be returnable. As the saying goes, "Measure twice..." However, if you've measured twice and still somehow managed to received an item that isn't quite right, we'll work with you to acheive a satisfactory result.

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What is betathane?

Betathane is a thin webbing impregnated with synthetic material which looks and feels very much like leather. Betathan is seven times stronger than leather, is not affected by weather, does not absorb water, does not streatch, maintains its shape, and is easily cleaned with water or a damp cloth. As our most popular harness material, nearly all of the harness we sell is made of betathane.

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What is biothane?

Biothane is a thin webbing impregnated with synthetic materials, very much like betathane, except that the surface is flat and shinny like patent leather. Biothane is somewhat more stiff than beta, and is often used in Draft horse show harness.

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Should I blanket my horse?

Perhaps...

Blankets and sheets perform a variety of functions:

1. Provide Warmth
2. Sun protection
3. Relief from insects
4. Keeping your horse clean

Keep in mind that the coat your horse grows himself is designed to meet these needs too. Hair thickness, length and even the follicle itself can adjust at different times to either wisk sweat away, allow a cool breeze to pass through or fluff up to hold in body heat.

Although a horse’s coat is designed to provide insulation it cannot do an effective job when wet or in extremely windy conditions. Consider blanketing during wet, very windy, or frigid weather. A wet coat looses its loft, like a wet down jacket, and won’t hold body heat. Windy weather pulls warmth away. Some horses are perfectly comfortable during very cold weather; some will be more comfortable in a warm winter blanket. Therefore, there are a variety of types of sheets and blankets available to keep your horse clean and comfortable, no matter your climate, season or excersize routine:

Anti Sweat Sheets offer cooling and comfort after exercise as well as some UV protection.

Fleece cooler/blankets can be used after a workout and your horse needs to dry off.  Fleece is a excellent material to wick off moisture and keep your horse dry, especially if he is sweaty and the weather is cool outside.  Put the fleece cooler on to remove moisture.   It will keep your horses' body temperature more balanced. 

Wool coolers/blankets can be used for the same purpose as fleece coolers.  Wool is a heavier material and will keep the horse warmer.  A wool cooler is also nice to have around for those extra cold nights when you need a blanket liner underneath your winter blanket. 

Stable Blankets are not waterproof, but serve well for dry climates to add warmth, and in damp climates when the horse is in his stall.   They do not work well outdoors and are usually designed for indoor use only.

Winter Turnout Blankets are most often made of durable ripstop material as well as being weatherproof and breathable.  In damp more temperate climates they may be too heavy on all but the coldest days, however in most northern winter climates they do the job nicely, especially if paired with a cozy wool or fleece liner. Turnout blankets are usually designed for both indoor and outdoor use. 

And wouldn't you know it? Chimacum Tack has them all! We'll be happy to answer your specific questions to help you get the right blanket, with the right fit, in the right color. We love cozy horses and happy customers!

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Will your harness fit my donkey?

Of course it will - if you send us measurements! The beauty of working with our Amish craftsman is that we can easily make harnesses to custom measurements.

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Will your harness fit my pony?

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