Harnesses, Carts and Carriages

Unfortunately harnessing has often been of minor interest in cattle hitching, although actually it should be of highest priority to ensure comfortable and efficient draft power transfer. Throughout history there have been many ways to hitch cattle, with many different systems being used side by side or competitively. Nowadays we prefer harnessing with the 3-pad-collar of Steinmetz (see literature). It is the optimal way of harnessing cattle. It adapts to the particular anatomy and motion of pulling cattle, is very flexible and extremely efficient.
The core piece consists of a collar with three upholstered pads (Kummet). Traction is transferred at the mobile shoulder blades (scapulas) of the animal via the collar pads and to some extent at the withers with the smaller third pad. Because the collar can flex and move, the draft power transfer does not interfere with the cattle's natural motion. Moreover, the angle of traction can be kept level, thus increasing the efficiency of tractive output. The tugs are attached to the collar.

Depending on single or team hitching, the harness is fixed by a girth. Carts and carriages can be slowed by chains hooked to the pole or by breeching fixed to the shafts.

Nowadays it seems to be rather a challenge to find good quality cattle harnesses. Most of those available are rarely complete, of poor quality and quite often useless (leather chapped and therefore not comfortable or resilient). At best they serve as patterns for new ones, or as decoration only. There are almost no saddlers left who are willing or able to fabricate these kinds of harnesses. One is left with the search for a saddler in the hope of being able to talk him into possibly making a new collar or even a complete harness.

Literature: "Modernes Geschirr für Arbeitsrinder" / Modern Harnesses for Working Cattle by Rolf Minhorst

We are keen to encourage saddlers, leatherworkers or any person interested in this topic to contact us, in order to fulfil this market need!!