Alexis1234 Report post Posted July 7, 2022 haven't posted in a long time, but thought I would share my latest " unusual " project... I was commissioned to make a custom GOAT driving harness. Certainly not fancy/ high end by harness work standards, but unusual in today's world of nylon and beta. This harness has rolled patent leather breeching and breastcollar, a 2 in flexible padded saddle and tan English bridle leather lines. I'm still working on a few parts to get it finished and sent out, but thought I would share. I used a 1907 Sears Roebuck catalog and a vintage harness makers guide book for guidance/I haven't posted in a long time, but thought I would share my latest " unusual " project... I was commissioned to make a custom GOAT driving harness. Certainly not fancy/ high end by any harness work standards, but unusual in today's world of nylon and beta. This harness has rolled patent leather breeching and breastcollar, a 2 in flexible padded saddle and tan English bridle leather lines. This is the tiniest harness I've ever made I'm still working on a few parts to get it finished and sent out, but thought I would share. I used a 1907 Sears Roebuck catalog and a vintage harness makers guide book for guidance/ inspiration. Let me know what you think- Thanks! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TSes Report post Posted July 7, 2022 Looks good. I assume the goat pulls a little cart of some kind. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chuck123wapati Report post Posted July 7, 2022 that is the coolest thing ever!!!!! Man i knew gas was high but I didn't think folks would resort to driving goats. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexis1234 Report post Posted July 7, 2022 16 minutes ago, chuck123wapati said: that is the coolest thing ever!!!!! Man i knew gas was high but I didn't think folks would resort to driving goats. I didn't know folks still drove goats, but after this- I want a pair:) 30 minutes ago, TSes said: Looks good. I assume the goat pulls a little cart of some kind. Yes- carts or wagon Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
battlemunky Report post Posted July 7, 2022 You gotta get some goat action pics from your customer after you deliver. I know nothing about tack but it looks great! Classiest goat EVAR! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexis1234 Report post Posted July 7, 2022 1 hour ago, battlemunky said: You gotta get some goat action pics from your customer after you deliver. I know nothing about tack but it looks great! Classiest goat EVAR! I will! I know very little about driving goats but I'm very intrigued. Told customer - I need pics, lol Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted July 7, 2022 (edited) There are still parts of Europe where in rural areas people use goats, dogs and even pigs for pulling small carts. Carts big enough to carry produce to the local market or to take children to school. These are still used in rural US more of an old tradition rather than for need I can't find a modern image of a pig-cart but I do know they are still used, mainly eastern France, western Germany, lower Netherlands and south-west Belgium Edited July 7, 2022 by fredk Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomE Report post Posted July 8, 2022 Beautiful work! I'm sure the goat will be proud to wear it. What was the vintage harness makers book you used? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Doc Reaper Report post Posted July 8, 2022 I’m so glad there was a picture of a goat (the animal) and they weren’t made for some old guy hshahahahahahahaha! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handstitched Report post Posted July 8, 2022 One of our locals sometimes has her mini ponies pulling a small cart through the town...and parks it/them next to the cars in the carpark , attracting a lot of odd and admiring looks You have done some great work there HS Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fredk Report post Posted July 8, 2022 55 minutes ago, Handstitched said: One of our locals sometimes has her mini ponies pulling a small cart through the town...and parks it/them next to the cars in the carpark , attracting a lot of odd and admiring looks and now it will be very jealous looks as others fill their cars petrol tanks! sorry, I forgot my manners. That is just grand work on that harness and, you know goats will eat anything? When I kept a few goats, they'd eat nylon ropes, chew on metal chain but they would not eat leather straps Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexis1234 Report post Posted July 9, 2022 On 7/7/2022 at 6:36 PM, fredk said: There are still parts of Europe where in rural areas people use goats, dogs and even pigs for pulling small carts. Carts big enough to carry produce to the local market or to take children to school. These are still used in rural US more of an old tradition rather than for need I can't find a modern image of a pig-cart but I do know they are still used, mainly eastern France, western Germany, lower Netherlands and south-west Belgium Yes, I looked at antique photos- just wonderful, both the dogs and goat... Some vehicles were beautifully built just like miniature horse carriages! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexis1234 Report post Posted July 9, 2022 On 7/7/2022 at 10:11 PM, TomE said: Beautiful work! I'm sure the goat will be proud to wear it. What was the vintage harness makers book you used? Thank you The book is called The Harness Maker's Illustrated Manual. There are a few ones out there and some of them were incomplete. Find the version w/ pics. It is available for free online. Wonderful source! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alexis1234 Report post Posted July 9, 2022 On 7/8/2022 at 2:07 AM, Doc Reaper said: I’m so glad there was a picture of a goat (the animal) and they weren’t made for some old guy hshahahahahahahaha! Lol, I think that's one I'd have to turn down! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TomE Report post Posted July 9, 2022 Thanks, @Alexis1234 . I’ve been reading the Hasluck book on saddlery and harness making. Not complete but historical. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mulesaw Report post Posted September 9, 2022 I don't know how I managed to miss this post, but the harness is stunning! In Norse mythology, the thunder god Thor uses two male goats for pulling his wagon across the sky which makes the thunder and lightning. Thanks for the tip on the book as well Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
