Harness is the equipment placed on a horse or other animal that enables it to pull a vehicle with its shoulders. The basic parts of a harness are the bridle, reins, collar, hames, and traces. A harness may also include other parts that are added for special situations. Most parts of a harness are made of leather and are held in place by metal buckles and clasps.
The bridle is used to control the animal’s movements. It consists of straps that fit securely on the animal’s head and a metal bit that fits in its mouth. The reins are attached to the bit and must be long enough to reach the vehicle’s driver. The collar goes around the animal’s neck at the shoulders. The hames are two curved pieces attached to each side of the collar. The traces are two long straps, ropes, or chains that connect the harness to the vehicle. One end is attached to the hames and the other is hooked to the vehicle. Sometimes an animal is harnessed between two long wooden poles called shafts that are attached to the vehicle.
