How to Harness Horses to a Wagon

Although harnessing a team of horses to a wagon is no longer a daily practice since most people prefer the horsepower of the automobile, horse-drawn carriages and wagons are still used by Amish travelers and are commonly seen in parades, hay rides, and romantic trips along downtown streets. Hitching horses together takes practice, but well-trained animals who are accustomed to carrying riders will quickly adjust to pulling together as a team.

Things You'll Need

  • Collars
  • Harness
  • Back straps
  • Britchens
  • Pole straps
  • Neck yoke straps
  • Bridles with bits
  • Driving reins
  • Wagon
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Attach harness to the sides of the collars. Unhook the collars to place around the necks of the horses.

    • 2

      Run the length of the back straps down the horses' spines and buckle the back straps to the hamess.

    • 3

      Hook the britchens into the back straps. Run the pole straps between the front legs before connecting to the back straps and the neck yoke straps. Check to be sure the britchens run over the horses' hips.

    • 4

      Insert bits into the horses' mouths and attach bridles. Secure check straps behind the ears of each horse. Attach driving reins to both sides of the bits.

    • 5

      Join harness tugs and connecting shafts to attach the team to the wagon.

    • 6

      Mount the wagon and take hold of the driving reins.

Learnify Hub © www.0685.com All Rights Reserved