Where do I purchase a cart/harness for draft?

[sendchocolate]

love the posts in this thread!

I am just double-checking, and I know I could check google, but want to ask the experts! I assume that Poppy, at just over a year old, is still too young for carting? Or is that just for weight?
How do I get started in this, and ensure she will enjoy it and not be freaked out by it??

 

[new_2_newf]

Tina,

Chat with Peter. Maybe send him a PM? That is kinda his thing

 

[SheilaT]

I know that you're not allowed in a Trial unless the dog is at least 18 months old, but you CAN start training to harness. I'm sure Peter has information on the youngsters, as well as your regional newf club, if they're involved in draft work. The Newf Club of Florida was amazing when it came time to train my guys to draft.

 

[newflizzie]

Liz is 14 months and we have just started with getting her used to the harness, then used to the traces touching her sides, then traces dragging behind her. Now we've been working on her walking next to shafts. She's doing okay with these...I've been asking lots of questions of the experienced people and everyone says "baby steps". I've also watched the Berner draft videos and that was very helpful. Technically she'll be 18 months the day of the first draft test at the National, but I'm not going to rush it and try to get her ready by then.

 

[NewfieMama]

I saw Newfs carting at an NCNE event this winter and saw both Dogworks and Siwash harnesses. One harness was significantly simpler to adjust - the people who had both remarked on this specifically to me...but now I don't remember which one was which! Does anyone have both and can comment on this?

Right now we have feet of snow on the ground so won't be doing any carting till Spring...but I'd love to get started, maybe get Cooper used to wearing a harness and traces before then...

 

[BluwaterNewfs]

Siwash is a style of harness. DogWorks sells them. There are a few other style harness that people use. We use a Siwash.

 

[janices]

I saw Newfs carting at an NCNE event this winter and saw both Dogworks and Siwash harnesses. One harness was significantly simpler to adjust - the people who had both remarked on this specifically to me...but now I don't remember which one was which! Does anyone have both and can comment on this?

Dogworks carries siwash harness. Wilzcek is a modified siwash harness with more points of adjustment. Wilzcek harness is harder to adjust since has more points of adjustment. Regular siwash harness is easier to adjust. Dogworks used to carry a variation of the siwash that Nordkyn carries and since Nordkyn makes Dogworks siwash harnesses not sure if that's the same or not anymore. Normally I prefer Nordkyn and Wilzcek siwash harnesses.