The main element of harness for riding horses is a bridle (headband) – a part of harness, which is put on the horse’s head and allows to make it easier to control him.
Saddle – a device that is placed on the horse’s back over the valet. Mainly provides comfort for the rider when riding a horse.
Shankings – devices to protect the horse’s limbs while working. Shankings can protect against mechanical damage (impact) and serve to support and protect the tendon-ligament apparatus. There are also leg irons designed for various kinds of medical procedures.
The valtraps are parts of the harness made of quilted fabric. The valtraps are placed under the saddle to absorb sweat and protect the horse’s back from injury.
The blanket is a covering for the horse, which protects it from colds, flies (netting blankets). They are divided into winter (made of wool, fleece, sintepon, etc.) and summer (made of cotton, mesh and other lightweight materials). Large ponies have a hood for extra coverage of the neck.
Cinch – a wide strong strap designed to hold the saddle (saddles for harness horses). Wraps around the body of the horse from below and is fastened to the saddle on both sides. Available in leather, braid and other materials. Some types of saddles have 2-3 girths.
The bridle is a bridle without bridles, the purpose of which is to keep the horse in a leash. Refers to the articles of stable amenities and may be made of leather and braid.
Chumbur – a rope with which the horse is tied when it is in a half bridle. There are braided, chain or rope chumburs.
Hackamora is a type of iron (bridles). The classic hakamora is two leather straps running around the horse’s muzzle. One, the carrying strap, is most often lined with artificial or natural fur, and the other, the chin strap, is most often made with a chain. On the sides of the muzzle, the straps are connected by a metal plate to which the cheek straps of the bridle are attached. From the plates go down levers to which the reins are attached.
The sprue is an additional device for working with the horse. It is a long cord that is rarely leather and is mostly made in the form of a capron, canvas or other synthetic strap. The strap is terminated on both sides with special clasps to form adjustable loops through which the saddle cinch is passed. The cinch itself is carried in various ways from the cinch, through the headband to the rider’s hands forming a sliding lever (sliding reins), increasing the impact on the horse, forcibly lowering its head. Riding with a sprue is forbidden in competition, but is very useful for some horses in training.
Items of single horse saddleless harness:
- a collar with goose lugs by which the harness is attached,
- belt gorgets (instead of guggles) which fasten the collar to the shaft,
- reins – a part of the harness, consisting of two long belts or cords and used to steer the horse. The reins are attached to the rings of the bridles on one side. The other ends serve the rider to steer.
Objects of the steam horse harness:
- clamps (sometimes replaced by saddles),
- chest straps,
- harness,
- harness – part of the harness, a strap attached at both ends to the harness running down the sides and back of the horse.
- paired reins.