| The horse harness originated in China during the Warring States Period in 300 B.C, and it is considered as one of the greatest inventions in history. They were initially used on oxes, and were designed with a central pole and two yokes that rested conveniently on the ox’s hump. Because of the anatomical differences between oxen and horses, the throat-and-girth harness system was invented for horses. However, this type of harness system was inefficient and dangerous, oftentimes suffocating a horse when it attempted to pull against it.
The next harness system invented was the breast-strap harness. This system allowed a single horse to pull a vehicle with as many as four adults onboard. It was composed of a bridle headpiece, blinkers, a throatlash, a browband, reins, a noseband, a brake strap, a breastplate, breeching straps, a hip strap, shaft loops, saddle and tug connectors, and a saddle. Modern horse harnesses still use this system, but they have evolved to accommodate single and double driving styles.
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