Evolution of the American Trotter and Carriage
The significant distances between towns in post-revolutionary America, along with the condition of the roads, likely contributed to the fascination Americans had with fast trotters and light vehicles during the early 19th century. By the mid-19th century, carriages and harnesses in North America had developed a distinct style that set them apart from their European counterparts. The American trotter was widely recognized as faster than any other breed.
As the Victorian era drew to a close, affluent citizens along the eastern seaboard began to adopt European style carriages and harnesses. However, popular taste continued to prefer lightweight designs. English-style equipages became known in equestrian circles as ‘heavy harness’. Although this term has since fallen out of use, English-style harnesses continue to be utilized with suitable vehicles.
Differences Between American and British Family Carriages
While family traps in Britain typically featured two wheels, the American family buggy was almost always a four-wheeler. Generally, these buggies were built with a reach or perch connecting the front and rear axles. The single harness shafts were constructed as a single unit, with both shafts held together by a crossbar. A whiffletree was usually fastened to the center of this crossbar. The shafts were then attached directly to the front axle using shaft couplings, which came in several patented varieties.
When it came to pairs, the American buggy used a drop pole, which allowed more freedom of movement than the rigid poles found on European carriages. The drop pole was fastened to the axle using the same shaft couplings, and a neck yoke was used to support the pole’s end, replacing the pole pieces or pole chains used on European designs.
The American Driving Harness Industry
These mechanical innovations significantly influenced harness designs, leading to the creation of many specialized factories producing various styles, qualities, and prices of harnesses at the turn of the century. Some manufacturers even had catalogues featuring over a hundred distinct sets of single driving harnesses, not including work harnesses, race harnesses, or russet leather harnesses. Although the range of options has narrowed since then, several of the main styles still remain in production today.
Buggy Harness
In American usage, the word buggy refers to a group of light, four-wheeled carriages. These buggy harnesses exhibit several unique characteristics that differentiate them from their English counterparts.
The Bridle and Bits
The bridle in a buggy harness differs from the English pattern by having no noseband. The driving bit is typically a broken (jointed) snaffle with half-cheeks or half-guards, while the bearing rein follows the overcheck pattern. In less expensive harnesses, the bearing rein is fastened to the driving bit. In higher-quality harnesses, the bearing rein is attached to its own bridoon.
The overcheck, originally called the Kemble Jackson check, was invented for a racing trotter in 1853. Its success led to its use in all racing harnesses, eventually extending to ordinary driving harnesses and even work harnesses.
The Breast Collar and Traces
The breast collar may consist of a single piece of leather, but better-quality collars are made with folded leather and measure about 64 mm (2.5 in) wide. Traces in buggy harnesses are often sewn onto the collar and may also be made of single leather, with three dart holes punched in the trace heels.
The Saddle, Skirts, and Shaft Bearer
The saddle is typically 64 or 76 mm (2.5 or 3 in) wide and sometimes features a seat (a top resembling a miniature riding saddle) and jockeys made of patent leather. The skirts may be straight or have a swell. The shaft bearer can either be sewn under the jockey or attached to a metal dee, in which case it is known as a swinging shaft bearer. The tugs are of the open type.
Buggy harnesses come in various styles and levels of quality. Some have plain or single straps, others are lined or double-strapped, and some feature folded straps.
Double or Pair Harness
Double or pair harnesses for buggies have similar bridles to single harnesses and may use breast collars or collars and hames. If breast collars are employed, they usually have breast-collar irons to support the neck yoke. The breast collars may have tugs and trace buckles, or the traces may be sewn on. Choke straps (breastplates or false martingales) are attached to the collars and pass between the horses’ front legs, looping onto the girths.
The pads usually measure 38 mm (1.5 in) wide and have coach pads (pad cloths or housings). The skirts have trace-bearer loops sewn on, with the traces passed through them.
Surrey Harness
For more substantial vehicles like Surreys, rockaways, or traps, a robust Surrey harness is commonly employed, often equipped with collars and hames for added strength and control.
Hames and Traces
Within a Surrey harness, hames are generally designed with box loops fitted with straight wire trace buckles. The traces are meticulously lined, stitched, and possess a single dart hole for durability and precision.
The Saddle
The saddle of a Surrey harness measures approximately 89 mm (3.5 in.) in width. Its highly favored style includes a seat, jockeys, and skirts fully clad in patent leather. According to personal preference or specific use, it may come with straight or swell skirts.
The Bridle
The bridle’s design for a Surrey harness could parallel that of a buggy harness. Frequently, it’s crafted with a side-check bearing rein attached to a bridoon, threading through gag leathers or gag chains, which are connected to the crown piece. Curb bits like the Liverpool, Ashleigh, or elbow bit, commonly paired with the side-check bridle, offer considerable control. Most Surrey harnesses also feature a noseband.
Double Harness Components
Double harnesses, typically heavier than those paired with an average buggy harness, are usually composed of collars and hames. For example, traces for these harnesses are about 32 to 38 mm (1.25 to 1.5 in.), double layered and stitched. In contrast, traces for a buggy harness might be 25 to 31 mm (1 to 1.25 in.) and single layered in its less expensive versions.
Pads and Trace-Bearer Loops
The pads in these harnesses have 31 mm (1.25 in.) skirts and often feature leather housings, occasionally adorned with chain links or raised leather for aesthetic appeal. The trace-bearer loops may be wavy cut, keeping the harness design consistent.
Turnback, Hip Straps and Breeching
Like most American light harnesses, the double harness’s turnback (backstrap) buckles like a martingale, circling the strap point inside the loop. Hip straps, or trace bearers, are employed with Surrey harnesses if breechings aren’t included. However, in hilly terrain, breechings are essential.
If hame tug buckles are absent, the breeching straps connect to the girth’s center, exerting a pull against the choke strap. If hame tug buckles are available, the breeching is made long enough for attachment.
The Reigns
Double harness reins may be crafted from black or russet leather, or black leather with russet hand parts. The splices are often designed with a wavy cut, adding a seamless aesthetic touch.
Roadster Harness
The term ‘roadster’ in North America is commonly ascribed to speedy trotters. These roadsters are regularly showcased at many shows in both single and double harness configurations. Favorites for showcasing include breeds like Standardbreds, Morgans, and Arabians often demonstrated in their individual class categories.
Single Roadster Harness Specifications
The single roadster harness bridle is configured with square winkers, an overcheck that neatly couples with a separate bridoon, and a half-cheek snaffle driving bit. A running martingale is also incorporated for more control. The bearing rein and throatlatch are round stitched, contributing to the integrity of the harness.
The bridle front, crafted from patent leather, highlights a narrow, colored leather stripe running along its centre, securing a width of around 13 mm (0.5 in.). The martingale mirrors the bridle craftsmanship with its rounded leather make.
Breast Collar and Traces
The breast collar within this harness, made of folded leather, is about 41 mm (1.6 in.) wide with a wavy cut layer sewn on. This layer expands onto the outer layer of the traces, which can be either rounded or double stitched with a lining. A rounded neckstrap with a hook in the centre joins the bearing rein to the saddle.
Saddle and Breeching
For the saddle, a 64 mm (2.5 in.) tree houses the structure, sporting a straight skirt design. Accompanying housings, if used, could be composed of silk colored to match the bridle front. A breeching, always present, usually sports a wavy cut layer corresponding to the design on the breast collar.
Reins and Bit Billets
The lines (reins) are crafted from brown leather sewn round up to the hand pieces, and the bit billets are kept narrow to not exceed 16mm (0.6 in.) in width. These billets have an inbuilt steel lining for strength.
Double Harness Breast Collar
Rein tenets and bearing-rein hooks usually feature brass or gilt, while smaller buckles can be sheathed in leather or rubber. A modest monogram might adorn the winkers, rosettes or martingale for a personalized touch.
Double Roadster Harness Specifications
Double roadster harness flaunts shaped Kay collars and light hames- possibly leather-covered, joined at the bottom by dog-pattern kidney links which fasten the choke straps (breastplates). The hame tug design includes box loops and a safety lining under the buckle. The traces are typically sewn round, save for the heels.
Pads, Cruppers, and Reins
The pads measure about 29 to 32 mm (1.14 to 1.25 in.) in width, are dressed in patent leather and come equipped with trace-bearer loops. The cruppers connect to the turnbacks or backstraps. The reins are likewise rounded up to the handpieces and are designed from brown leather.
Fine Harness
Fine harness refers to a distinct style devised for the show ring back in 1905, specifically tailored as a novel class for American saddle horses. In these events, horses are expected to showcase an animated park trot, while extreme speed is discouraged. The harness design draws its inspiration from fast-trotting harnesses. Arabians and Morgan horses are also exhibited in similar classes.
Fine Harness Bridle
The fine harness bridle comes equipped with a cavesson adorned with black and colored patent leather trimmings. Apart from these embellishments, the rest of the bridle closely resembles a roadster bridle.
Pad and Crupper Design
The pad in fine harness shares many similarities with the roadster harness but may possess more padding for added comfort. The crupper customarily buckles to the turnback, ensuring a comfortable fit for the horse. Notably, no breeching is utilized in fine harness configurations.
Runabout Harness
Originally intended for fast trotters, the runabout harness has evolved for use in pleasure driving and showcases at shows. These harnesses prioritize comfort and practicality in their designs and configurations.
Bridle Specifications
The runabout harness bridle offers various winker designs, which can be square, D-shaped, or hatchet-shaped. Additionally, it includes a facepiece and noseband but omits the bearing rein. Typically, a curb bit is attached—either Liverpool, Ashleigh, or elbow types are customary.
Breast Collar and Traces
The breast collar, made from folded leather, features a straight layer and trace buckles. Traces are crafted from doubled leather and double-stitched for added durability and strength.
Saddle, Tugs, and Bellyband
The runabout harness saddle measures around 76mm (3 inches) in width, with straight skirts providing a comfortable fit for the horse. Round or Tilbury tugs and a bellyband further ensure a secure, yet flexible hold on the horse during the ride.
Reins and Harness Buckles
Constructed from flat russet leather, the reins allow for a comfortable and easy grip for the driver. The harness buckles, usually found in West End or London wire patterns, are designed to provide a polished appearance.
Ready-Made Harness
Harnesses are an essential component of equine equipment and can often be purchased ready-made in economical grades for those seeking convenience and affordability. They continue to be utilized in several Mennonite communities across the United States, where traditional modes of transportation still prevail, and horses and buggies are an everyday sight.
Standard Buggy Harness
Typically, these communities have local small-scale workshops that produce standard sets of buggy harnesses. These are artisan crafts rooted in long-standing tradition, ensuring the harnesses are not only functional but also preserving a vital piece of their cultural heritage.
Ready-Made Pony Harness
Similarly, pony harnesses are crafted following a comparable design and can also be bought ready-made. These are ideally suitable for smaller equine breeds, providing durable and reliable gear for day-to-day use while maintaining affordability and accessibility.
Work Harness
Equine-powered labor remains part of American tradition and practicality to a certain extent, with harnesses playing a vital role in enabling this timeless form of work. Available in traditional patterns, ready-made harnesses provide a cost-effective and accessible solution for those requiring horse-driven power in their daily routines.
Machine-Made Collars
The collars for these work harnesses are machine-made, ensuring uniformity and consistency in construction. Produced in a wide range of sizes and varying levels of quality, these collars cater to different breeds of working horses and specific usage scenarios.
Custom-Made Harness for Publicity Purposes
In contrast, when it comes to heavy horse teams used for publicity purposes, harnesses are custom-designed and manufactured to the highest standard. These exquisite pieces, often adorned with intricate details, demonstrate the attention to detail and superior craftsmanship demanded by these high-visibility roles.
