Parts of a Harness

Harnesses are the mechanisms used in horse driving that allow the horse to pull heavy equipment, such as a wagon or pack. The individual design of the harnesses may differ slightly, and there is no definitive guide to picking the right harness for your horse, but there are endless variations on a simple design that allow for the optimal comfort of your horse as she pulls weight.

  1. Bridle

    • The bridle is the head piece of the horse's attire. A driving bridle has all the same pieces as a normal horse bridle, but for driving purposes, the bridle may have blinders, often called blinkers or winkers.

    Breast Collar

    • The breast collar goes around the front of the horse, what most people would consider his chest, and buckles to the actual harnessing mechanism. This allows the horse to evenly distribute the weight he is pulling.

    Harness Pad

    • The harness pad is the actual mechanism that allows the horse to pull a cart, rather than support a rider.

    Front of the Harness Pad

    • A driving harness has parts that are familiar to riders, including a saddle, girth strap, belly band and cinch, as well as rein turrets. The front also has a cinch to attach hames, the mechanisms that attach the horse to the cart.

    Rear of the Harness Pad

    • The rear of a harness has a strap connecting the front and back of the harness, called a backstrap. Attached to this is a crupper, which holds the horse's tail out of the way. From the backstrap radiate the loin straps. The loin straps hold breeching straps in place, which fall well below a horse's hindquarters.