Horse harness Facts for Kids

A drawing of a horse harness with full collar

Horses pulling a plough

A horse harness is a special set of straps and equipment. It allows a horse to pull things like a carriage, a wagon, or a sleigh. Harnesses are also used to help horses pull heavy loads, such as a plough in a field.

Harnesses are usually made from strong materials. These can include traditional leather or modern biothane. Biothane is a durable, coated webbing. The metal parts, like buckles and rings, are often made from stainless steel or chrome.

Different types of horses use different harnesses. Strong, heavy horses, called draft horses, can pull large carts, two-wheel buggies, or big wagons. Lighter, faster horses might pull smaller vehicles. These can include sulkies, which are very light two-wheeled carts, or four-wheel buggies. They can also pull older-style wagons.

Parts of a Horse Harness
Types of Harnesses
History of Horse Harnesses
Images for kids
See also

Parts of a Horse Harness

A horse harness has several important parts. Each part helps the horse pull safely and comfortably. The main parts include the bridle, collar, traces, and breeching.

The Bridle

The bridle fits on the horse's head. It includes the bit, which goes in the horse's mouth. The bit helps the driver guide the horse. Reins connect the bit to the driver's hands. This allows the driver to give signals to the horse.

The Collar and Traces

The collar fits around the horse's neck and shoulders. It helps spread the weight of the load evenly. This makes it more comfortable for the horse to pull. The traces are strong straps. They connect the collar to the vehicle. This is how the horse's pulling power transfers to the cart or wagon.

The Breeching

The breeching is a strap that goes around the horse's hindquarters. It helps the horse slow down or hold back a vehicle. This is especially useful when going downhill. It prevents the vehicle from pushing into the horse.

Types of Harnesses

There are different types of harnesses for different jobs. Each type is designed for specific tasks.

Breastcollar Harness

A breastcollar harness uses a wide strap across the horse's chest. This strap is called the breastcollar. It is lighter than a full collar. This type of harness is often used for lighter vehicles. It is common for pleasure driving or smaller carts.

Full Collar Harness

A full collar harness uses a padded collar that fits around the horse's neck and shoulders. This type of harness is very strong. It is best for heavy work, like ploughing fields or pulling large wagons. It allows the horse to use its full strength comfortably.

Racing Harness

A racing harness is very light. It is designed for speed. These harnesses are used in horse racing, especially in harness racing. They allow the horse to move freely and quickly.

History of Horse Harnesses

Horses have been used for pulling things for thousands of years. Early harnesses were not very good. They often put pressure on the horse's windpipe. This made it hard for the horse to breathe.

Around the 5th century in China, a new type of harness was invented. This was the breastcollar harness. It spread the load across the horse's chest. This made it much easier for the horse to pull. Later, the full collar harness was developed. This invention was very important. It allowed horses to pull much heavier loads. This helped with farming and transportation. It changed how people worked and traveled.