Fine Harness Question

[barnbum4life]

Why do fine harness horses where bell boots?? Is it just tradition, or is there a reason? Harness ponies don't wear boots. Just wondering.

[Mikki]

Not 100% sure on this, but I thought it was because used to, horses were shown in harness and 5-Gaited in the same class and would be judged on both harness and under saddle and the judges would pick one winner based on who did the best job in each part and they would just leave their quarter boots on. And eventually they started using bell boots. So to answer your question, yes it is tradition. But then again I'm not completely sure. And please correct me if I'm wrong. I though someone asked this quetion on the old forum and I though this was the answer many people responded with...:)

[wstrngrl]

"Back in the day" horses frequently cross entered between 5-Gaited (where boots are allowed because of the speed and increased likelihood of overreaching) and Fine Harness; and why make them keep putting boots on and off going between the 2 ;)

So, yes there originally was a reason, now it's mostly tradition.

At least I think it's mostly tradition, considering no other driving horses, except Road horses/ponies I think, wear boots; and I don't think the way they move would predispose them to overreach anymore than other driving horses :p

[Ride2Live]

I believe it says somewhere on the ASHA website that Fine Harness horses wear them because traditionally, Fine Harness horses used to be 5 Gaited. So yes, it's probably just a tradition thing these days.