Horse harness

A set of straps and fittings worn by a horse to connect it to a vehicle or equipment, or to guide and control its movement.

Collar (horse): A padded band fitted around a horse’s neck and shoulders to transmit pulling force to a vehicle or implement. The collar carries draft force across the shoulders in a common work harness.
Horse collar: A padded collar that enables a horse to pull by pressing against its shoulders. It lets a horse exert strong draft force without choking against a throat strap.
Chariot: A light, horse-drawn vehicle used especially for warfare, ceremony, and racing in ancient societies. Chariot use depended on harness systems suited to fast, light vehicles.
Horse-drawn vehicle: A wheeled vehicle pulled by one or more horses. The harness forms the working connection between the horse and the vehicle.
Hames: Rigid bars fitted along a horse collar, with attachment points for traces. Traces attach to hames, transferring the horse’s pull into the vehicle.
Breastcollar: A harness strap that crosses a horse’s chest and attaches to traces. It is a lighter alternative to a full collar, but suits lighter loads better.
Yoke (animal husbandry): A device that couples draft animals to each other or to a load. Earlier draft systems often relied on yokes before horse-specific harnesses spread.
Plough: A farming implement that cuts and turns soil for planting. A draft harness transfers a horse’s pull to a plough.
Trace (harness): A strap or chain that connects a draft animal’s harness to a vehicle or implement. Traces carry pulling force from the harness toward the load.
Shaft (vehicle): A pair of poles connecting a vehicle to an animal or towing point. Harness straps and fittings keep a horse positioned between the vehicle shafts.

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