How to Connect a Horse to a Harness

Harnessing a horse allows you to connect that horse to a cart or carriage for the horse to pull. Harnesses can look complicated, but are actually very intuitive. Connecting the horse to the harness involves laying the harness on the horse's back correctly, and spreading out the pieces properly. Once you have the harness on your horse, you can hook the harness to your conveyance and drive.

Things You'll Need

  • Horse harness
  • Bridle
  • Conveyance
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Instructions

    • 1

      Wrap the neck collar or breast collar of the harness around your horse's neck, if it comes as a separate piece. Secure the clasps.

    • 2

      Carefully lower the harness tackle over the horse's back, with the tail crop facing the back end of the animal. Begin to spread the harness tack out over the body of the horse by centering the saddle over the middle of the horse's back. Lower the breeching over the horse's flanks.

    • 3

      Pull the horse's tail through the tail crop, which is the small loop in the back of the harness that keeps the harness in place over the tail. The crupper strap should lie flat against the horse's spine from the tail crop to the saddle.

    • 4

      Tighten the belly bands under the horse's belly.

    • 5

      Hold the bridle in your right hand with the nose strap facing to the left. Hold the bit in your left hand. Simultaneously slip the bit into the horse's mouth and lift the bridle onto the horse's head. Push the ears through the ear straps. Tighten the chin strap and connect the collar strap to the chin strap.

    • 6

      Pull the reins through the holes on either side of the collar and the saddle. Your horse is now connected to the harness, and you're ready to back it up to the conveyance.