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Harnessing working donkeys and horses
Also available in Afrikaans | Xhosa
Harnessing systems
There are three basic harnessing systems, which are used:
- The first is a simple breast band harness. A flat strap goes around the front of the chest and is joined to one or two straps that go over the withers, usually by a metal ring. The traces - flat leather or chains covered with a soft pipe, go from the ring to a swingle tree. This is in turn attached to the implement or cart. Research has shown that if there is no swingle tree and the traces are attached directly to the implement or cart, the pull is less efficient because the attachment is too rigid and not flexible. For implements pulled by two animals, the two-swingle trees may be attached to each other by an evener, which is then attached to the implement.
- Secondly, there is the collar harness. This is a good harness for large carthorses and the pull is from the shoulders rather than the chest. The traces are connected to the collar and to a swingle tree. Unfortunately a collar needs to be specifically adjusted for use by a specific animal and cannot be used for another animal. Poorly fitted collars can result in injury and an animal will not pull well if it is painful to pull.
- Thirdly, there is the saddle harness. A wooden saddle is attached onto the back of the animal and secured by a belly strap and a strap around the chest. The saddle is attached to the shafts of the cart, not the traces.
Breeching
All the mentioned harnesses may have straps attached, which go around the hindquarter of a horse or donkey. There are usually two straps, one that goes over the top of the hindquarter and one that goes around the back. The strap should not be so high that it pulls against the anus and it should not be so low that it is against the Achilles tendon. This strap acts as a brake when the cart stops, preventing it from running into the animal.
Most modern harnesses for competition are a combination of the different types. Unfortunately these harnesses and carts, although ideal for show, are too complicated and expensive for daily use by traction animal owners who use their horses or donkeys to make a living, transport water and wood and plough their small farms. Simpler harnessing systems are needed. However, by looking at well-adjusted harnesses on these horses, the extension officer can get a very good idea of how harnesses should be fitted.
Harnessing theories
There are several basic theories of harnessing which should be understood. Firstly, a good harness transfers pulling energy directly from the animal to the cart or implement in the most efficient manner. Sometimes it may be seen that the traces are not the same length on both sides, for instance, and there is an uneven pull on the animal. Make sure that there are no sharp edges on any of the harness or shafts as these can cause injuries. Wire is often used to mend harnesses and the points injure the animal. A good harness should not move around too much as this chafes the skin and causes harness sores. It must not be twisted, but lie flat along the curves of the body. The material used should be supple, not hard and rigid.
A harness should not be too tight as it can cut off blood supply to the tissues. It should also not prevent the animal breathing, urinating or defecating. Harnesses should not press on the windpipe in front of the neck or close off the jugular vein on the side of the neck. Harnesses should be wide enough and padded to distribute the pulling force rather than concentrate it in one area. This is very important as thin straps or ropes can cut into the flesh. Harnesses should be designed to rest on muscled areas of the body, not on bones that are only covered by skin. Muscles provide padding and prevent pressure sores. Weight should not press down on the lumbar area or neck as these are weak parts where there is little underlying bone to provide support. There are two strong muscles on each side of the spine, just behind the wither where there is good muscular padding and an underlying boney support. This is the best area for weight bearing.
Donkeys and horses sweat. An accumulation of sweat under the harness will lead to skin infections. Harnesses should be made of materials, which do not prevent sweat evaporating. For instance, padding made from a plastic bag would not be suitable. Because sweat also rots the harness, a harness should be made of durable materials that are easy to clean. Harnesses should be cleaned at least once a week or more often if caked with sweat or mud. Leather harnesses should be treated with leather oils and kept soft and dry.
Harnesses should be easy to put on correctly. The fewer buckles there are to fasten and undo, the better, as owners often become confused when the harness is too complicated and they reassemble it incorrectly. The harness should also be simple to remove from the animal. The cart must be balanced correctly, especially if it is a two-wheeled cart. If all the weight is on the front of the cart, the donkey or horse will carry the weight on its back and be unable to use its strength and energy to pull the cart. If all the weight is at the back of the cart, the donkey may be lifted into the air! The weight should be carried directly over the wheels.
Bits and bridles must also fit correctly. The bit should be approximately one centimetre longer than the width of the donkey’s mouth. It must be fitted so that it does not bang against the teeth and when it is in the correct position, the corners of the mouth will be slightly wrinkled. The bit must be at least 1 cm thick at its thinnest point. The throatlatch is the part of the bridle that goes under the donkey or horse’s chin. It must be fairly loose - you should be able to get two fingers under it when it is fastened, otherwise it presses against the windpipe when the animal puts its head down to pull. The reins must be even and the reins between the two donkeys or horses must be long enough so that their heads are free to move. No part of the bridle should stop the animal breathing or poke into the eyes. If a donkey or horse is correctly harnessed and the harness is clean and comfortable, the animal will work willingly and well.
