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From Nordan Symposia
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==Origin==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''herneis'' baggage, [[gear]], from Anglo-French ''harneis'', ''herneis'', probably from Old Norse *''hernest'', from ''herr'' army + nest provisions
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]
==Definitions==
*1a : the [[gear]] other than a [[yoke]] of a draft animal
:b : gear, equipment; especially : [[military]] equipment for a horse or man
*2a : occupational surroundings or routine <get back into harness after a [[vacation]]>
:b : close [[association]] <ability to work in harness with others — R. P. Brooks>
*3a : something that resembles a harness (as in holding or fastening something) <a parachute harness>
:b : prefabricated wiring with [[insulation]] and terminals ready to be attached
*4: a part of a loom which holds and controls the heddles
==Description==
A horse '''harness''' is a type of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_tack horse tack] that allows a horse or other equine to pull various horse-drawn vehicles such as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carriage carriage], wagon or sleigh. Harnesses may also be used to hitch [[animals]] to other loads such as a [[plow]] or canal boat.
There are two main categories of horse harness, "breaststrap" or "breastcollar" design and the collar and hames design. For light work, such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_show horse show] competition where light carts are used, a harness needs only a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastcollar breastcollar]. It can only be used for lighter hauling, since it places the weight of the load on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sternum sternum] of the horse and the nearby windpipe. This is not the heaviest skeletal area; also heavy loads can constrict the windpipe and reduce a horse's air supply.
By [[contrast]], the collar and hames harness places the weight of the load onto the horse's shoulders, and without any restriction on the air supply. For heavy hauling, the harness must include a horse collar to allow the [[animal]] to use its full weight and [[strength]].
Harness components designed for other animals (such as the [[yoke]] used with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxen oxen]) are not suitable for horses and will not allow the horse to work [[efficiently]].
Putting harness on a horse is called harnessing or harnessing up. Attaching the harness to the load is called putting to (British Isles) or hitching (North America). The order of putting on harness components varies by [[discipline]], but when a horse collar is used, it is usually put on first.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_harness]
[[Category: General Reference]]
==Origin==
[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] ''herneis'' baggage, [[gear]], from Anglo-French ''harneis'', ''herneis'', probably from Old Norse *''hernest'', from ''herr'' army + nest provisions
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/14th_century 14th Century]
==Definitions==
*1a : the [[gear]] other than a [[yoke]] of a draft animal
:b : gear, equipment; especially : [[military]] equipment for a horse or man
*2a : occupational surroundings or routine <get back into harness after a [[vacation]]>
:b : close [[association]] <ability to work in harness with others — R. P. Brooks>
*3a : something that resembles a harness (as in holding or fastening something) <a parachute harness>
:b : prefabricated wiring with [[insulation]] and terminals ready to be attached
*4: a part of a loom which holds and controls the heddles
==Description==
A horse '''harness''' is a type of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_tack horse tack] that allows a horse or other equine to pull various horse-drawn vehicles such as a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carriage carriage], wagon or sleigh. Harnesses may also be used to hitch [[animals]] to other loads such as a [[plow]] or canal boat.
There are two main categories of horse harness, "breaststrap" or "breastcollar" design and the collar and hames design. For light work, such as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_show horse show] competition where light carts are used, a harness needs only a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breastcollar breastcollar]. It can only be used for lighter hauling, since it places the weight of the load on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sternum sternum] of the horse and the nearby windpipe. This is not the heaviest skeletal area; also heavy loads can constrict the windpipe and reduce a horse's air supply.
By [[contrast]], the collar and hames harness places the weight of the load onto the horse's shoulders, and without any restriction on the air supply. For heavy hauling, the harness must include a horse collar to allow the [[animal]] to use its full weight and [[strength]].
Harness components designed for other animals (such as the [[yoke]] used with [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxen oxen]) are not suitable for horses and will not allow the horse to work [[efficiently]].
Putting harness on a horse is called harnessing or harnessing up. Attaching the harness to the load is called putting to (British Isles) or hitching (North America). The order of putting on harness components varies by [[discipline]], but when a horse collar is used, it is usually put on first.[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_harness]
[[Category: General Reference]]
