Harness-aid

Dedicated to Harnessing the Energy

Of Working Equines

5 Leamore Common, Wistanstow, Craven Arms, Shropshire. SY7 8DN.

T. Davis. Founder

Harnessing equine energy

Injuries such as these are caused, not through neglect or abuse but by ill-fitting, inappropriate harness systems.

This, combined with a lack of understanding of animal draught leads to unnecessary suffering and animals unable to reach their full potential.

Many of these injuries are avoidable and can be overcome by the introduction of suitable, cost effective equipment such as the cart saddle shown here.

Having participated in projects in developing countries, we have seen the desperate need for training to improve the working conditions of equids. By making owners and users of these animals aware that with simple, economical changes in their equipment and management methods, working animals could become much more efficient.

The objective of the H.D.A. is to educate, advise and teach harness-manufacturing techniques to indigenous people. This would result in increased income for those people dependent on animals for their livelihoods.

Its felt that the subject of harnessing does not receive the attention it deserves. Worldwide, from Pakistan to Ethiopia to Mexico we see the same recurring pattern of injuries to the breast, shoulders, neck, back and hindquarters. Ill-fitting, inappropriate harness systems made from unsuitable materials with little understanding of the dynamics of animal draught is usually the cause. There are no doubts that with the right approach these problems are avoidable. Harness-aid with its long experience has no doubts these problems can be resolved.

One of the ways that improvements could be made is to introduce a ‘regulated harnessing system’ that complies with the criteria required for successful animal traction. There are several reasons for this standardised approach. It makes for easier manufacture/maintenance and is more cost effective, training periods can be shortened by being more focused and the transference of this technology to other locations made easier.

There is little to add to the subject of harnessing draught animals. Five thousand years of history has taught us everything we need to know. The criteria required for successful harnessing already exists and if followed will produce positive results.

The Four principles of animal draught.

The four unchanging principals of animal draft are: steering, transmission, weight distribution and braking. Correspondingly, there are four component parts of harness designed to accommodate these. They are: the bridle, collar, pad and breeching. Independently, each of these component parts plays a vital role in harnessing the forces of draught.

Steering

Steering is conveyed through the reins and bit. The bridle is simply a devise to carry the bit. The use of blinkers has always been controversial. Debate still continues as to weather there use is effective or not.

Transmission

Transmission is effected through the use of a collar to which traces are attached. Collars are the area of greatest concern and least understood. It needs to be taken into account that when animals are subjected to draught they are in fact PUSHING. In doing so there are two types of collar to consider: the breast and full collar.

Breast collars

The breast collar is the most commonly used and consists of a wide band around the breast and held in place by a neck strap. They can be used to good effect with 2 or 4 wheeled vehicles. The traces are attached to either end of the breast collar and energy is transmitted through these to the point of impact. This type collar is best suited to light haulage work over smooth, flat surfaces.

Advantages: Breast collars are cheap and easy to manufacture, and are interchangeable. One size fits all

Disadvantages: By being positioned below the optimum point of draft, maximum draft cannot be achieved. Therefore approximately 25% of the draft is lost. To avoid serious injury they must be used in conjunction with swingle trees. There is a tendency for shoulder movement to be restricted.

Full collars

Made from leather and stuffed with straw. They are designed to carry the hames onto which the traces attach. In effect, the collar acts as a cushion between the hames and the animal. The size and shape of collars is of prime importance. They must be stuffed in such a way as to allow clearance to the throat and withers and to keep the traces clear of the animal’s sides.

Advantages: Full collars allow the animal to achieve maximum draft by dispersing the applied forces evenly over the shoulders and neck without causing hindrance to movement. This is highly desirable in terms of efficiency.

Disadvantages: Collar making is a highly skilled craft and labour intensive. It requires many years of training to perfect. It’s important to emphasis that size matters. Therefore they must be made to measure. As a rule: ‘one horse, one collar’ applies. Collars that are too big will move and the resultant friction will cause injury. If to small, will cause choking and difficulties with breathing. Collar widths are important.

Weight distribution

The weight of the vehicle (loaded or unloaded) is taken across the animals back and requires a framed and padded cart saddle. It must allow for complete clearance of the vertebra and be held in place using a girth. A back band and shaft tugs are also required as is a bellyband. This is attached to the shafts and goes under the belly stopping the shafts from lifting when a vehicle becomes unbalanced.

Braking

There are two types of breeching: false or full. Full breeching consists of a broad band around the hindquarters (similar to a breast collar) and is supported by the use of hip straps. It is attached to the vehicle shafts and takes the full weight of the vehicle when going down hill or reversing. The false breeching is a strap attached between the shafts, (from shaft to shaft) behind the animal and performs the same function. Care needs to be taken in size of animal in comparison to the vehicle when considering the use of false breeching.

Conclusions.

When the above four principals are fully understood and complied with any four-legged animal can be harnessed effectively.

Component harness parts can be adapted to local and cultural conditions and allow for the use of alternative natural, locally sourced, materials. With the reported increase in the use of equines in developing countries, it is more important than ever to provide a better understanding and training initiatives in the use and welfare of equines.

End.

Terry Davis

Points of Animal Draught (B to R2) Breast Collar point of contact (A1 & A2 ) Optimum points of draught. (R1 & R2) Centre of resistance. (G) Centre of gravity.

Illustration from Terry Keegan: The Heavy Horse, American edition, Published by Barnes & Co. 1973

© copyright T, Davis. All rights reserved. No reproduction, copy or transference without written permission.

Harness-aid Email: harnessaid@yahoo.co.uk