Troika Drafts & Harness Shop

16/08/2024

American Shire Horse Assoc Regional Show: yearling fillies :)

14/08/2024

Excellent morning coffee read:

It is thought horses lack the prospection and brain architecture required for goal-directed, reflective model-based learning which considers future st…

12/08/2024

This could a very challenging Large Animal Emergency Rescue as well as one with a very tragic outcome. . Manage those pool covers! Not only for horses but for humans as well!

Monday already is the crappiest day of the week, so it only makes sense that we make things official. Here’s our latest “oh crap” moment. When it's hot out, it's safe to say that most of us look for ways to cool down. Whether it's by a pool, lake, river, or stream, bodies of water...

12/08/2024

For those who remember Delegate when he was here getting his start take a look at him now! Congrats to Meadowbreeze and Northfield Farms for all their progress with this amazing Shire stallion! Visit the Skowhegan Fair Draft Horse Show on August 16th and cheer him on :)

28/07/2024

Wildfire Evacuation! The finest in preplanning. .
Keep safe all. . .

26/07/2024

A little "bit" of knowledge for the day. . and make sure your curb chain is properly adjusted :)

A slotted Kimberwick might be the most versatile bit but they have gone out of style. This bit has three rein positions. The "A" rein placement is on the arc inside where the slots are located. The reins slide up the arc as rein pressure is increased. When the reins are relaxed with very light contact, the reins slide to the bottom of the arc and when contact is first increased, the bit starts to provide some leverage and thus light poll pressure. However, as the reins slide up the arc from increased rein pressure, the amount of leverage decreases to zero. This results in very forgiving bit action. This rein placement acts like a clutch that automatically slips so as to release the leverage pressure.

The lower "B" slot rein placement offers consistent low leverage due to the short shank (distance from the mouthpiece down to the "B" slot location).

The top "C" slot is at the mouth and acts with no leverage. If a Kimberwick has a snaffle mouth, and reins are attached at the "C" slot, the Kimberwick acts just like a snaffle.

There are many mouthpiece options for Kimberwicks. There are all kinds of snaffle mouthpieces available, some with rollers or french links, rubber coated etc.. With a snaffle mouth and reins attached at "C", the design acts somewhat like a full cheek bit due to the design of the arc shank. There are straight Mulllen mouths available with many material variations such as steel, hard and soft synthetic material or different metals. Mouthpieces with ports are also available.

The Kimberwick's versatility includes using variations on the chin chain (shown) or strap. These can vary from a kind soft leather chin strap, to a usual medium width chain with flat links, or to a narrow metal chain with small links that can be nasty.

All these variations in different combinations of rein placement, mouthpiece design and chin chain or strap make this, in my experience, the most versatile bit available. If you know of another that is more versatile, please put a picture in the comments.

Lastly, you can also use or teach the use of double reins using a Kimberwick with one set of reins at the bit slot "C" as the "bridoon" and the second reins attached at slot "B" for the "leverage bit". It's not a real deal double bridle, but for teaching it works and it is quite idiot and abuse proof due to the low leverage and if the mouthpiece is forgiving. Having largely gone out of fashion, Kimberwicks are very affordable used.

06/07/2024

Very safe & quality hauler if your horse needs a ride!

🔥𝐌𝐀𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐒🔥

ʟᴇᴀᴠɪɴɢ ᴍᴀɪɴᴇ ᴛʜɪs ᴡᴇᴇᴋᴇɴᴅ

sɪɴɢʟᴇ ᴏʀ ʙᴏxsᴛᴀʟʟs

📲 352-615-5070

04/07/2024

Here's to wishing all my friends and families a very safe and Happy 4th of July!

04/07/2024

Is Your Horse Rescue Ready!
"Fortunately, she added, their rescue team was ready for the complexity of the incident. It also helped that the horse and the rider were supportive of their efforts."
Sounds like EXCELLENT WORK by all!

Send a message to learn more

28/06/2024

Nest one of three. . four for four made it to adulthood :)
Thank you Mother Nature and the Universe :)

20/06/2024

Another uncommon, but equally impressive, large animal emergency rescue. . . .

17/06/2024

We're going to celebrate the arrival of summer weather! While we'll have a variety of draft and other horse items we'll feature another part of our farms productivity as well! If you're in the area please plan to stop by and meet some of your local farmers!

16/06/2024

Not your average Large Animal Emergency Rescue!
Nice work guys :)

Send a message to learn more

12/06/2024

One for the "case study" classroom. . ❤
https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=430059199889170&rdid=nM3hOlrwnowBII4o

12/06/2024

Is your FD ready to respond?

A man has been charged with DWI after a crash involving multiple vehicles Monday afternoon on Interstate 293 in Manchester.

11/06/2024

Home safe from an amazing trip to Michigan! Thank you to all the great folks in the UP and SouthEastern MI areas who made these classes such a success - and for all the amazing food, lodging, and sharing of horses! Photo dump coming soon!

10/06/2024

Game changer! Assuming the horse was in a position where you could somewhat easily apply the sling. .

07/06/2024

A little bit of R&R with Frisco :) in between teaching Large Animal Emergency Rescue classes and schooling drafts and donkeys out and about in Michigan!
(photo by Kristen Cooper VanWieren)

05/06/2024

When you've been training "The Littles" to team drive and they decide to photobomb and show off with their self proclaimed Liberty Training!
(photo credit Kristen Cooper VanWieren

04/06/2024

Why that performance body needs the proper neck as well! I see so many breeds, especially drafts, loosing the efficiency of a proper neck and throat area. .

Send a message to learn more

01/06/2024

Quite the day. . more info, photos and video to follow!

TD Bomb's Away Frisco rocking the Large Animal Emergency Rescue program for the UP! :) More info and photos to follow.

01/06/2024

TD Bomb's Away Frisco rocking the Large Animal Emergency Rescue program for the UP! :) More info and photos to follow.

30/04/2024

Dice and Domino's dam, New England Starlight (barn name Lizzy) still making her mark on the world ❤

With open arms, patient ears, and grateful hearts we are here for you as you navigate the many seasons of military life. Learn more about how we can assist in the healing process (no matter where you are at in your military journey) at equineimmersionproject.com. ❤️🤍💙

28/04/2024

I remember when I got into breeding horses being told that if you see a horse at 6 months old, that is a good representation of what it will look like as an adult. I don't remember who told me that, but I wish I did. .as I would like to thank them. It has proven correct at least 90% of the time. . .

20/04/2024

Some impressive. .
https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=notif&v=801366158572937¬if_id=1713621009782151¬if_t=live_video_explicit

18/04/2024

Anyone looking for a nice Clyde or Shire there are lots of nice ones selling this weekend :)

Be sure to visit clydesale.com for the FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS!

16/04/2024

RIP Matinicus. . honored to have been part of your time here on Earth. I remember the day you were born here on the farm and taking this photo a few days later. It was like you were born "2nd Level". The greatest joy was seeing you go to your forever home right from the start. . .you were so loved. . .

12/04/2024

When you're in the right place at the right time. . .

Headlights from an arriving search team lit up the area of the remote search and rescue (SAR) base camp. Those already at base stepped back from the table ...