‘Hands on’ Harness
A sustainable, affordable harness system designed to
reduce injuries and improve the efficiency of working equines in the developing
world.
For centuries, equines
have played an important role in the progress of mankind. In developing
countries they’re still used extensively where they represent a means of
low-cost, efficient, sustainable energy vital in areas of poor economic
resources. Viewed as “old technology”
in the developed world, this easily transferable and adaptable knowledge needs
to be supported and indeed further encouraged in the light of a looming global
energy crisis.
In
disadvantaged areas worldwide, working equines and their owners endure harsh
conditions. Many of the problems encountered are caused by widespread
unremitting poverty and a lack of knowledge that makes it difficult for owners
to give animals the care and attention they deserve.
Important
concerns like health/nutrition, foot care, harness development, cart design,
draught implements and an understanding in the dynamics of animal
draught are lacking. The result is that the capabilities of this “tool” is
not fully realised.
Harness development has long been identified and
acknowledged as a problem area and one of significance in which little progress
has been made.
Owners, through necessity and without the skills and expertise required for successful harness manufacture, are left to their own devices in creating what they believe to be suitable harness using inappropriate materials.
As a consequence of this
“do-it-yourself” approach the poorly manufactured equipment is directly
responsible for wounds to the neck, shoulders, abdomens and backs of animals. These are commonplace and generally go untreated,
sometimes with fatal consequences.
Most harness related injuries are avoidable. The
productivity of working equines can be vastly improved by the use of harness
that’s strong, comfortable and allows freedom of movement without the risk of
serious injury.
With
this in mind we have developed the “Hands on” single harness system for use
with donkeys or small horses. Using our
skills as fully trained, long serving professional harness/horse collar makers
and drawing on reliable historical, traditional designs, it fulfils all the
criteria required for successful animal draught.
Some of the
main characteristics are:
An innovative, adjustable collar and hames
allowing for maximum dispersal of draught forces.
A lightweight, strong Cart Saddle with
detachable, stuffed panels for easy adjustment. Complete with girth strap,
bellyband, crupper and dock.
Can be manufactured using locally available
materials and is easily adaptable to local conditions.
Cost effective to produce and easy to maintain.
Can be used with two or four wheeled
vehicles.
Suitable for use in both urban and rural
locations.
Does not require specialist tools or
equipment to manufacture.
Although designed with easy assembly and maintenance
in mind, ‘Hands On’ harness is not proposed as a “do-it-yourself” solution to
harness production.
For reasons already stated
there’s little to be gained by the D.I.Y. approach to harness development. It’s
seen as detrimental to working equines and represents a major part of the
problem that offers no solution to the difficulties presented. There’s more to be gained by a standardised
production approach to harness development. To this end our ‘Hands On’ harness
is ideally suited.
Standardisation
is a means by which harness and its component parts can be produced cost
effectively and sustainably.
The manufacture of
‘Hands On’ harness requires professional training. Using the standardised
method, this can be achieved in a short period of time by holding local workshops
to advise, demonstrate and teach the simple manufacture of such equipment to indigenous people using locally available materials.
For people with a
dependency on animals for their livelihoods this could be of significant value,
leading to a better understanding of draught animal harness and its usage.
It’s
estimated that 70% of veterinary intervention in developing countries is in
dealing with the symptoms of harness related injuries.
While
animals may receive expert, professional veterinary treatment of a high
standard, the cause of the commonest debilitating injuries is not being
addressed.
The
problem is essentially a harness related one for which vets are not
accountable. Addressing it effectively
requires practical,
preventative intervention employing people with relevant expertise in harness
manufacture and usage.
The
use of improved harnessing methods will lead to reduced incidence of injury,
the need for expensive veterinary treatment and enable draught animals to work more effectively.
It is hoped that ‘Hands
On’ harness will go a long way to resolving many of the difficulties
experienced by working equines and their owners and provide a better state of
well-being for all concerned.
If you feel
that you’re in a position to help us, to help you, then we’d be happy to hear
from you.
All enquires to.
Harness Development Agency,
5 Leamore Common,
Wistanstow, Craven Arms.
Shropshire. SY7 8DN.
U.K.
Tele/Fax +44-0- 01694781206
‘Hands On’
Harness Designed
and manufactured by the Harness-Aid
Hands On harness has the flexibility to meet many of
the difficulties faced by draught animals
and their owners and is cost-effective to produce. Production costs can be
determined by taking into account locality, the availability of suitable
materials and local labour rates.
In the initial development stages of Hands On harness,
recycled materials were used. This had the desired effect of zero costs for
materials. Purchasing new materials, using a U.K. model, would cost in the
region of £70.00 (Stirling.) However, in adopting a standardised production
method costs could be reduced considerably.
Hands On harness can be manufactured using a variety of
materials. To ensure sustainability, two essential ingredients are required in
moderate quantities, wood and metal. These are used in the construction of cart
pads and hames.
A level of proficiency is required to manufacture Hands On
harness. This can be achieved by a
short period of training (6 weeks) after which, a manufacturing time scale of
20-24 hours is feasible.
Regardless of the materials used in the production of
harness, the aim is to ensure that the finished article and its component parts
interrelate and comply and with the criteria required for efficient,
comfortable draught. Hands On harness was designed to meet these needs and
represents a suitable, practical, sustainable low-cost option for use in
developing countries.
Our thanks go to TAWS (Transport Animal Welfare Studies)
for allowing us to display Hands On harness at their recent seminar held at the
Royal Veterinary Collage, 22nd February 2006.
Young veterinary students, keen to expand their knowledge
by working on projects overseas were in attendance. Harness
development/manufacture is not included in the core curriculum of veterinary
training, the students showed great interest in this preventive approach to
harness related injuries.
It’s hoped that in having a better understanding of
draught animal harness and its function, many of the injuries endured by
working animals could be alleviated.
Hands-On Harness
Contact – harnessaid@yahoo.co.uk Tele – 01694 781206