Understanding Horse Neck Collars
A neck collar is a crucial piece of equipment in a horse’s gear. With an oval shape, cushioning and leather exterior, it’s designed to lie ideally flat on the horse’s shoulder. Further enhancing its functionality, two metal hames snugly inserted in a groove around the collar connect to the traces. Quite substantially, it’s via this mechanism that the force generated from the horse’s shoulder powers the load. This equipment’s significance stands foremost, with its appropriate crafting and fitting foundational to the horse’s comfort and health.
Variations and Material Choices
Typically, these collars boast an exterior finish of either black or brown leather. For a more refined appeal, patent leather is used. The lining comprises soft leather, wool, or serge to cushion the horse’s skin, while the stuffing can be either horsehair, rye straw or flock.
The design and size of these collars can vary considerably to accommodate the range of animal types and sizes. Naturally, different collars serve different purposes too.
Specialized Collar Designs
One such specialized collar is the piped collar or windpipe collar. Especially designed to avoid compressing the windpipe, it features a tubular metal pipe fitted within. Additional collar styles come in simple, straight, bent, and those peaked at the withers.
Most collars come in a closed design to be put on upside-down, tailored so that their widest part slides over the horse’s broadest head-area. Once on, they are reversed, so their pointed ends face up and rest at the shoulders. To ease the process of fitting, knee pressure can be applied against the inside of the collar, whilst simultaneously pulling at it.
Importance of Correct Fitting
A well-fitted collar is imperative for a horse’s comfort and health. Too tight, it can hinder breathing, and too loose, it can chafe the neck. An ideally fitted collar allows just enough space for a hand to slide between the collar’s bottom and the horse’s windpipe. This level of detail ensures your horse is comfortable and can perform at its best.
Open-Top Collars
Open-top, or split neck collars, are a special type of horse collar engineered for animals carrying notably large heads—typical of heavy horses and donkeys—and those showing resistance against regular overhead collaring. Where conventional collars fall short, open-top collars shine.
The Design and Purpose of Open-Top Collars
This unique collar design is open at the top, enabling the sides to be stretched wide enough to encompass the animal’s neck comfortably. Once in place, the collar can be securely fastened, typically with a dual-strap mechanism. This feature makes it an ideal solution for animals with large heads or those exhibiting distinct discomfort towards traditional overhead collaring methods.
Thanks to their thoughtful engineering, open-top collars offer a comforting alternative, ensuring our larger, more headstrong friends’ comfort and well-being.
Breast Collar Overview
In some scenarios, a horse may alternatively don an equipment piece known as a breast collar. Unlike a neck collar, this unique device comprises a padded breastpiece that connects via tug buckles, all supported by a neckstrap furnished with rein terrets. This form of horse gear has been used since much earlier times, predating the neck collar.
However, it’s worth noting that a breast collar may not sit as comfortably on a horse when tasked with the pulling of hefty loads, an undesirable factor due to its lower positioning on the horse’s physique.
The Heavy-Duty Breast Collar Version
A more robust version of the breast collar is deployed on those army harness horses still engaging in active service. This design incorporates a couple of supporting straps and a zinc collar pad—intended to safeguard the horse’s withers.
Though they may not match the aesthetic sophistication or heavy load efficiency of neck collars, breast collars present a distinct advantage in their ease of fitting. With minor adjustments, these collars can accommodate any horse, making them quite versatile.
Safeguarding Against Potential Chafing
Nevertheless, to minimalize the potential risk of rubbing the horse’s chest uncomfortably, it’s recommended to utilize a swingletree or bar alongside the breast collar. This combination helps ensure your horse’s comfort and safety during use, even as it simplifies the gear fitting process.
Hames
Hames play an essential role in a horse’s gear by accompanying the neck collar. These two tubular metal arms fit securely into grooves on either side of the collar and have traces attached to them. Once constructed from wood, hames have since evolved into being made from high-quality steel, often plated with brass or white metal. They showcase an array of functional design elements such as eyes, straps, rings, and hooks.
The Upper End Design of Hames
On each hame’s top end, eyes are situated through which a small strap—the ‘hame strap’—is threaded to fasten them together securely. Adjacent to the top section, a ring can be found that may either be swivelled or fixed. This ring allows the reins to pass through it for increased maneuverability.
The Lower End Design of Hames
Near the hame’s bottom, one can generally find two rings designated for attaching the traces. In some instances, however, traces are riveted directly to a short projection extending from the hames. At the very bottom, similar eyes are used conjunction with straps, hame hooks for chains, or kidney links to provide a secure connection.
The elaborate design and well-thought-out structure involved in hames cater to maintaining efficiency and smooth operation in a horse’s gear. This robust support system upholds its purpose in accommodating neck collars and ensuring a comfortable experience for the horse.
Driving Saddles
Saddles are an essential part of single harness equipment, carrying part of the load weight and providing equilibrium. They are constructed to be heftier and more robust than the pad, which is typically utilized in pair turnouts when there’s no need to bear weight on the horse’s neck.
The Construction of Saddles
Saddles are typically made from quality leather with well-stuffed panels on both sides. They are usually lined with soft leather or cloth to provide comfort. Like riding saddles, necessary care is taken to ensure that they’re placed properly on the horse’s back and ribs, not exerting pressure on the spine.
Attachment Points and Function
On top of the saddle, you can find two terrets with rings designed for threading reins through. There is also a hook in front for attaching a bearing rein or overcheck, and at the back, a ‘D’ ring for the crupper strap.
Incorporation of Girth and Backhand
The saddle is designed with a channel to accommodate the girth – a strap that goes under the horse’s belly. At the back of the saddle, straps on either side attach to the backband. This backband holds the tugs that transport the vehicle’s shafts. The backband then passes through a loop in the girth under the horse’s belly and is buckled— either on one side only or both. The intention is to keep the vehicle’s shafts from tilting upwards.
Pads
Pads serve a similar purpose as saddles; however, they sport lighter construction due to the lack of a backband or tugs. Primarily used in pair harness, their primary role is to carry the tug buckle to which the traces are attached.
Material and Design of Pads
Pads should be generously padded and are often designed to harmonize with the pattern of the winkers and pad cloth. Frequently, they are crafted out of patent leather, adding a sense of style and durability to the functional accessory.
Purpose of Pads in Horse Harness
The primary function of pads involves carrying the tug buckle. The tug buckle is the point of attaching the traces, playing a critical role in managing the direction and speed of the horse. Despite their lighter construction compared to saddles, pads efficiently fulfill their purpose in pairs harness setup.
