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Harnessed carriage. Types of crews. Video: how to harness a horse to a cart

Publications in the Literature section

Encyclopedia of car-free life in Russian literature

Before the invention of automobiles and widespread rail travel, long (and not so long) distance travel in Russia was most often done in horse-drawn carriages. The encyclopedia of Russian non-motorized transport in literature was compiled by Sofya Bagdasarova.

Vladimir Sollogub wrote in his story “Seryozha”: “Here is a cart rushing - the exuberant youth of Russian roads; here the chaise waddles, like a Saratov landowner after dinner; here a wide carriage proudly stands out, like some rich tax farmer; here is the dormez, here is the carriage, and behind them a fat merchant-stagecoach, having drunk fourteen cups of tea in the post yard.”. In Russia, in fact, there were many types of horse-drawn carriages, which were also made differently in different regions. They also differed in purpose, design and status of the owner.

B - Brichka

This word is of Polish origin and denotes a light four-wheeled road vehicle, sometimes without springs. The body of the chaise could be either open or closed: leather, wicker or wood.

It was in the britzka that the main character of Nikolai Gogol’s “Dead Souls”, Pavel Ivanovich Chichikov, traveled. His chaise was “quite beautiful, springy”, and even with amenities: the top of the body was “They are covered from the rain with leather curtains with two round windows designated for viewing road views”. It was a quite decent road carriage for such an official as Chichikov, befitting his rank, even if, as they would say today, “not a representative class.”

Perhaps this is why many Russian classics described the britzka as an extremely noisy transport. Leo Tolstoy's chaise bounced, Sholokhov's chaise rattled or rattled, and Alexander Serafimovich wrote that “an intolerably sultry ringing rattle rolled behind her”. David Burliuk, dedicating poems to a certain bird with an unbearable voice, compared it to an old broken chaise.

B - Cart

Sergey Ivanov. Boyar slaves. 1909. Collection of Rostropovich and Vishnevskaya

The term was used for a winter type of transport - a covered wagon on runners. The cart is praised for its warmth, it is comfortable, you can ride lying down - “rolling in a cart under fur blankets”(Amphitheaters). He “filled with feather beds, pillows, etc.”(Victor Shompulev). The windows could be lined with bear fur to prevent drafts, and the inside could be lined with red cloth or even velvet.

Fyodor Koni had a vaudeville show “The Carriage, or They Meet You by Your Dress, You See You Off by Your Mind” about the importance of transport for prestige.

K - Kibitka
Nikolay Sverchkov. Caught in the storm. timing belt

In Russia, a word borrowed from nomads was used to call a covered wagon. Often the top was on arches and could be folded back - reminiscent of a “grandmother’s cap” (Nikolai Teleshov). A good caravan means “with a spacious top and double matting canopy”(Ivan Lazhechnikov) or “with a leather top and a tightly buttoned apron”(Pavel Melnikov-Pechersky).
It was in the shaking wagon that Radishchev rode: “Lying in the wagon, my thoughts were turned to the immeasurability of the world. I separated mentally from the earth, it seemed to me that the kibit blows were easier for me.”

Vyazemsky dedicated a whole poem to her, very angry: “And this casemate is mobile, / And this torture is mobile, / Which is called: wagon”. Pushkin is more cheerful: “Exploding the fluffy reins, the daring carriage flies”. On the other hand, in his “Road Complaints” he laments: “How long will I walk in the world / Now in a carriage, now on horseback, / Now in a wagon, now in a carriage, / Now in a cart, now on foot?”

K - Stroller
Nikolay Sverchkov. Riding in a stroller (Alexander II with children). Yaroslavl Art Museum

In Russia, “carriages” meant many types of open spring carriages. For example, the types of urban strollers were the landau and the phaeton. In Europe, on the contrary, a specific type of fashionable carriage was called a “stroller”.
The stroller became the heroine of Gogol’s story of the same name: the owner boasts that it is light as a feather, and the springs are as if “a nanny rocked you in a cradle.” In the end, it turns out that the boast is empty. Vyazemsky dedicated a poem of the same name to her: “A light carriage rushes along, / And the mind easily carries with it”. A beautiful carriage is a matter of prestige: Dolly Oblonskaya and her coachman are embarrassed by their old, patched carriage during a visit to Vronsky’s village.
Lydia (looking out the window). Wait! What kind of stroller is this? Lace! Did maman really take this for me? What a beauty, what a luxury! Ay! I'll faint. This is not a stroller, this is a dream. You can choke with happiness sitting in this stroller. What's wrong with me?
Alexander Ostrovsky. "Mad Money"
It all ends with technological progress: “An elegant stroller, in an electric beater, / Elastically rustled along the highway sand”(Igor Severyanin).

L - Lando
The carriage, named after the German city, was a four-seater with a lift-up top that turned it into a carriage at will. Zhukovsky in “A Trip to Maneuvers” tells how the roof somehow refused to open: “Here, here, landau is stubborn; / He overruled all the ladies, / Forced them to move / Without ceremony to another, / And he himself went empty.”.
A beautiful foreign word denoted a fashionable form of transport, a must for a person from society. The hero of Mamin-Sibiryak needs a landau in order to “show them all that I can drive like the rest of them.”
From Grigorovich we read: “How many expenses, my God, how many expenses! We had to hire new horses and exchange our carriage for a landau; people of a certain position are embarrassed to show themselves to music in the evenings; that’s how it is in Peterhof” (“City and Village”).

S - Sani
Ivan Pelevin. Children in a sleigh. 1870. Nizhny Tagil Museum of Fine Arts, Nizhny Tagil, Sverdlovsk region

Another means of transportation that has been written into poetry for a long time. “And the shafts having spread, the sleigh is waiting / When they will be harnessed”(Zhukovsky); “Towards the city of Ryazan / Three sleighs are rolling, / Sleighs are loose / Painted arcs”(May). Unlike the sledges, you can see not only peasants in the sleighs. The nobles own their own sleighs and ride in them, lying down comfortably and wrapped in warm blankets and blankets.

Content:

Despite technological progress, which has long been firmly established in human life, in remote areas of our country horses are still used in farming. These animals often perform draft work to transport goods. From the outside it seems that there is nothing difficult about harnessing a horse, but this is not so. Today, only a few know how to do this correctly.

Only after learning all the intricacies can you learn how to properly harness a horse to a cart, transport loads, plow the land, or simply take a walk in a carriage. Once upon a time, almost every locality had its own craftsmen who made vehicles. But today, a good crew will have to be bought or made independently, and the first option is preferable to the second.

What types of carts are there?

Don’t think that there are only one or two types of vehicles; everything is much more complicated.

Carriages

This is a cart with a closed body and mandatory springs. This type of crew is the most convenient, comfortable and expensive. The horses are driven by a specially trained person - the coachman, who sits on a box in front of the carriage. It cannot be said that the trip here is comfortable: it is the driver who experiences all the tricky weather conditions. If the carriage is of a simpler type, then it may not have goats, and then the coachman sits on the handle or edge of the cart.

Inside the carriage there are several soft seats and side windows. Through the window located in front, you can give special instructions to the coachman. At the back there are heels, on which stand footmen accompanying a noble person to the ceremonial departure.

Boarding the carriage was carried out using a folding step. It was the footmen who folded back this ladder, helped open the doors and lit the lanterns on the carriage if the trip was carried out after dark.

The number of horses harnessed depended on the lightness of the design. Threes and fours were the most popular. The lightest carriage could be carried by a horse couple. Such a vehicle was a luxury and an indicator of prestige in society. In the absence of a personal carriage, it was necessary to hire a pit cart.

Strollers and tarantasses

A stroller is a lightweight, simple carriage with a folding top. Its advantage is convenience and mobility. A harness might require a pair or three horses. Particularly wealthy people harnessed six-wheelers. It all depended on the position in society. Phaeton and landau are just types of strollers.

The second type of vehicle was more suitable for road travel. Here, the main distinguishing features were durable manufacturing materials, and not their beauty. And what is the point of carved decoration if the cart breaks down in the middle of the journey? Instead of springs, long springs up to 6 m were used, to which the body was attached. Thanks to them, the shaking on the bumpy road was softened and was much easier for travelers to bear.

What is a britzka

This type of cart is a lighter version of the tarantass. There is a folding top. On britzkas, similar to tarantats, they made long trips. There are several types of such carriages: with springs, without them, and postal type. Today, a one-horse harness is often called a chaise.

Gig

This concept includes a horse-drawn carriage equipped with two wheels. The word itself takes its name from the concept of two-wheeled, the first part of which means “two”, and the second - “wheel”. These carriages can be either with springs or without. The gig has a track width of approximately 100 cm; there are only two seats in such a carriage. One of the passengers directly controls the horse. The body part is made of boards or plywood, and a shield must be installed in front to prevent dirt from splashing passengers. Directly under the seat you can place a small amount of things or necessary tools.

How to make a horse cart

Before making a vehicle, you need to understand what is special about the cart and what the main elements are. The most important part, of course, is the chassis. This includes the front and rear axles, four wheels, and the front part of the frame for installing a platform or body.

Additional means are shock-absorbing struts. And if the rear axle is made in such a way that it is stationary, then the front axle must turn. This allows you to control horses with greater comfort.

In the next place is a pair of shafts for a single harness or a drawbar for a double harness. Both are attached to the front axle, which allows the front wheels to turn. The main frame is usually made of metal and welding. This is where the entire weight of the crew's cargo will lie.

The cart itself may be wooden. As for the size of the cart, once they were no more than one and a half meters wide, and up to 3 m long. As for the height, everything depended on the goals and size of the horse, most often it did not exceed 1 m.

Materials and tools

several materials made of durable wood;
welded frame with metal axles for wheels;
welding machine;
4 wheels;
metal pipes;
nails in large quantities;
hammer;
additional tools;
cart drawing.

Work order

Initially, the chassis of the cart is manufactured, which consists of axles for the wheels and a durable welded frame. If you have no experience in welding, it is recommended to ask specialists to do it.

The axles and frame are made from metal pipes. Then you need to make a rear axle, which will be stationary, and a front rotating one, where a thick pin is installed. To fasten the entire structure, special washers are used.

Before completing the first stage of work, you need to understand what appearance the vehicle will have. If you plan to harness a pair, you will need a drawbar along with a holder. If they are shafts, they are welded to the front axle and secured with a holder. The shafts are not removed, but move from side to side.

This movement is ensured by the holder. For additional fastening, a bracket and special reinforcement cords are used. You can use a wire that is attached to the front axle and shaft. Then you need to install the wheels, and to make the ride safe, you need to make good brakes on the cart.

This is where work begins on the base of the cart. If you plan to manufacture a platform, then everything is simple. The boards are cut to the required size, assembled into a platform and attached to the frame.

For the sides you will need four poles, to which slats are nailed vertically at a slight angle. The sides that will be located on the sides need to be attached to the supporting frame. The sides located at the front and rear are best made removable for more comfortable use of the cart. To make a shaft, you will need wooden blocks of sufficient length.

Rules for harnessing a horse in a Russian harness

If we talk about the shaft-arc harness, then this particular option belongs to the classics and is purely Russian. Before you start putting the horse into the cart, you need to have an idea of what elements are included in the Russian harness:

a clamp with a pair of tugs;
arc;
saddle;
saddlemaker;
abdomen;
girth;
rein;
harness;
bridle.

If we talk about a horse collar, it is selected individually for each horse. It should be close to the horse's shoulders. A collar that is too large can be narrowed slightly on the inside by sewing felt. But it is absolutely forbidden to wear a small collar. To use a saddle strap, be sure to wear a saddle so that the thin strap cannot rub the skin, because during harnessing it goes through the top of the saddle.

All parts of the harness must fit the horse; harness that is too tight or too loose can lead to injuries and accidents. The same applies to the means of transportation. Before work, it is necessary to check the integrity of the cart and the operation of the brakes.

After everything has been checked, you can harness the horse and it is best to do this under the strict guidance of a specialist. If the harness is put on in the stall, then it all starts with the bridle, if at the junctions, then the bridle is put on at the last moment.

The saddle is placed on the back so that its front part is above the withers. The girth is tightened so that 2 fingers can hardly fit between the horse.

The collar is put on with the pincers up and turned over directly in the narrow part of the horse's neck. Then comes the turn of the harness, which is carefully straightened and placed on the back.

When loading the cart, it is important to remember that the end of the shaft should be located next to the tugs. The interlace is secured through loops on both sides. Holding the left tack, insert the arch into it, and then move it over the horse's neck. If necessary, the tugs are twisted so that the arc does not jump out of them.

At the next stage, the clamp is tightened so that the clamp pliers come together. If something doesn’t fit, the tugs are adjusted. Here you need to attach the reins in one of two ways, depending on the horse’s performance. Secure the underbelly and gills. The horse harness is completed.

But there is no need to do this based on bare theory. It is better to ask advice from practitioners, otherwise it may end badly.

A horse cart is not at all a relic of the past, but quite common transport in rural areas. In many regions of our country, some residents still prefer to ride a horse - to transport goods or people, as well as for entertainment purposes. With the help of a horse, you can transport oversized objects, plow the ground, and move around for your personal needs.

Years earlier, craftsmen working in the manufacture of various models of carts worked in the villages, but today it is quite difficult to find such specialists. You will have to buy a ready-made design or make it yourself. This is what our article is about today.

A cart is a cart in which horses and cattle are harnessed. With this vehicle you can navigate on all roads where there is no prohibiting sign. The cart has seats for passengers or a platform for cargo, as well as a separate place for the driver.

There are also various decorative designs - they are called carriages. These carts are used for festive walks around the city, weddings or other photography.

Any cart consists of a chassis and a body. The move is the mechanism by which the cart moves. The trailer itself is called the body.

Table 1. Chassis design

Elements	Description
Axles	There is a rear and front axle.
Wheels	There are 2 wheels on each axle. Typically, the diameter of the front wheels is slightly smaller compared to the rear.
Racks	Found on the front and back. They perform the function of depreciating the cart.
Dissolution	It needs to be installed to connect the axes. On one side, the dissolution is secured and remains motionless. On the other hand, it can be adjusted. Using this design, the position of the axes is changed.
Shafts	Fixed on the front axle.

Previously, only wood was used to make structures such as carts - craftsmen even made wheels from it. However, now carts are most often assembled from metal, because such structures are the most durable, wear-resistant and easier to care for.

Types of carts

With the development of industry, a wide variety of carts appeared. However, there are also earlier means of transport that were used to communicate between large and small cities. Each of them has a special manufacturing technology.

Passenger

The most famous means of transportation is the carriage. At the very beginning they were used only to transport noble people. After some time, carriages became widespread and began to be used as transport for public use.

Subsequently, this type of passenger transport began to change. Instead of small double carriages, they began to design three-dimensional structures with several axles. Mentions of them can be found in fiction and seen in films.

Table 2. Types of carts for long-distance travel

A country	Application	Characteristics
It was first noticed among nomads in Russia.	For long trips in the cold season.	Nomads used this design to travel with their cargo. With the help of such a vehicle it was possible to quickly establish communication between different areas.
Appeared in France between the 18th and 19th centuries.	Used to send parcels and letters to various cities.	This type of transport could carry 7-8 people. This was the only opportunity to quickly get to the desired point. Short stops were planned.
Country of origin is Russia. The carriage appeared in the 19th century.	Used to move people around different cities.	This vehicle was used even on long trips. Because the design made it possible to get there with minimal shaking. At the same time, 4 people with luggage could travel in such a cart.
Appeared in the XVIII. Country of origin: America.	Such a vehicle was used as a temporary home for the movement of displaced persons.	Such a passenger cart was covered with a special protective tent. The carriage was not very comfortable. However, it was possible to move quickly on it in any weather.
Appeared in French cities at the very beginning of the 19th century.	This type of transport was used for trips to nature.	A carriage with a large number of seats for passengers and a special protective awning.

To quickly move passengers, more maneuverable carts were created:

Cab. A small crew with one axle, there were 2 or 4 passengers in the cabin at a time.
Droshky. Lightweight version of the cart with two axles.
The cart had one axle and could only accommodate a couple of people and a coachman.

It was important to provide cities with fast and affordable transport, so a large number of small and large carts could be found on the roads. They served as public transport or taxis.

Freight

Freight structures differed significantly from passenger carriages. Their main advantage was their large capacity. The oldest type of cart is the two-wheeled cart. Such carts were common in some regions of the Caucasus back in the 20th century.

However, in the process of industrial modernization, cargo carts have been significantly improved. Improved structures moved due to the movement of bearings. Rubberized wheels and a brake were also installed. Thanks to this, it was possible to transport loads of about 1-1.5 tons on carts. Until this time, several horses had to be attached to the cart.

Bezosnye

A sleigh is the simplest type of cart that does not have wheels. Such vehicles can only be moved on soft snowy surfaces, and they were used only in the winter season. Sleighs were usually a passenger type of cart; firewood was used to transport goods.

Actually, the name itself suggests that initially such sleighs were used to transport firewood, which was required in large quantities in winter in order to heat the stoves. Sometimes a body was attached to such a vehicle and used as a carriage.

The sequence of making different horse carts

It is important to design in advance the exact size of the finished structure. In the old days, carts were made about three meters long and up to one and a half meters wide. You can take these dimensions as a basis.

Step-by-step instructions for making a cart

Tools for making a cart:

boards;
welded structure;
welding machine;
wheels;
metal pipes;
hammer;
nails;
construction plan.

Table 3. Cart manufacturing technology

Illustration	Description
	First you need to make the chassis of the structure. If you do not have the appropriate welding skills, it is recommended to turn to professional craftsmen. The frame and axle are made of metal or pipes.
	Next, we make a stationary and mobile axle. Upon completion of all work, you should decide on the type of cart. If there is a drawbar structure, we make a holder. The shafts should be welded to the front stationary axle.
	The design of the chassis should be completed. If necessary, brakes can be installed.
	Next, you should design the cart body. For such purposes, boards of a certain length and width are cut and fastened together. Shafts are made of both metal and wood. The drawbar is constructed from wood.
	You can place a soft bench in the back of the cart.

Step-by-step instructions for making a sled

Before you start making a sled, it is important to decide on the material of the runners - they can be made of metal or wood. To make a structure from wood you will need the appropriate skills. When choosing metal products, they will have to be forged in a special workshop.

To make a sled you will need the following materials:

boards;
waterproof plywood;
sheets of metal;
profiles;
pipes;
woodworking tools;
construction plan.

Table 4. Sleigh manufacturing technology

Illustration	Description
	It is better to make the runners metal. Because it is the most durable design. For such purposes you will need stainless or carbon steel. The runners are made from iron sheet or pipes. In order to bend them, you will need outside help.
	Then the transverse posts and crossbars are made. They are located on both sides. The parts are secured by welding.
	It is important to provide brakes in the sled. They are made quite simply in the form of a rubber structure with a lever.
	Metal plates are attached to the front. After which shafts are attached to them. Upon completion of work, body design should begin. The body of the sleigh is made of wood according to one’s own preferences. It can be covered with foam rubber and soft fabric for greater comfort.
	The shafts are attached last.

Step-by-step instructions for making a carriage

Necessary materials for making a carriage body:

beam;
moisture-resistant plywood;
soft foam;
nuts;
bolts;
plastic;
dye;
glue;
woodworking tools;
sheathing material.

Table 5. Manufacturing process of the carriage body

Illustration	Description
	For the carriage body, you should take durable plywood that does not deform when exposed to moisture. Because the cart will be used in different weather. And then all the details should be drawn on the surface of the plywood.
	Next, use a power saw to cut out all the parts from the plywood. You should get 4 main parts, different in size. Then they will connect to each other. Holes for windows should be made in the resulting blanks using a jigsaw. You will need to make preliminary holes in the plywood so that the jigsaw blade fits normally into the canvas.
	It is necessary to connect the resulting parts with bolts and construction glue. The bolts should only be tightened after the glue has completely hardened. It is better to leave the structure for a while.
	When the walls are completely dry, you can fasten the bottom and ceiling of the carriage. It is advisable to make the bottom from durable plywood.
	The frame is made of a wooden board, the corners are processed with a file and cleaned with sandpaper. When designing the frame, space should be left for passengers and the coachman. After installing the windows, the openings are covered with plastic. You can make plastic gratings.
	The seat is made from the remaining plywood. They can be upholstered with foam rubber and fabric.
	Upon completion of the work, the body should be painted with moisture-resistant paint.

Making such a vehicle yourself will require effort and time. However, the master will be able to design the structure according to individual drawings, and the finished parts will only need to be assembled, like a designer.

How to harness a horse?

For beginners, this process can be quite labor-intensive at first, and therefore, before you begin any actions, you should study the design of the cart and harness in order to understand exactly how to “connect” the horse and the cart.

You will need to do the following:

A beginner will need the help of a professional to complete these steps, but over time the process will progress without assistance.

Video - How to harness a horse to a bow harness?

Let's sum it up

Designing a cart is a fun activity that requires creative thinking and is also a great idea for starting a business. However, novice craftsmen will need to learn some of the nuances of making carts and, after the drawings are ready, purchase materials and get to work.

Video - Cart making process

A horse cart is one of the oldest vehicles. Over time, it has been transformed and improved according to human needs. Now there are several types of such vehicles.

A horse cart is one of the oldest vehicles.

A horse carriage is usually a cargo type vehicle with 4 wheels. It is also called underwater. Carts are rarely used as passenger transport due to the inconvenience of their design. Nowadays, the term “cart” refers to many types of horse-drawn carriages. In fact, this was originally the name given to 4-wheeled springless carts, which were harnessed to one horse. Their carrying capacity varies between 500-700 kg. In most cases, a drawbar and shaft type harness is used. But there are also heavy trucks that can transport up to 2 tons of weight.

Despite their primitiveness, carts are still used as freight transport in many countries. The design is quite complex. They are commonly used on farms and households.

It is believed that carts were first used in the 12th century. The design made at that time is practically no different from today's, with the exception of a few improvements. Modern specimens, as before, are made of wood with a lower metal structure. Spring-type rubber wheels. Quite often the rear wheels are slightly larger than the front wheels. There are platform and side carts.

In order for the horse to be properly harnessed to the cart, it is necessary to understand its design. The process itself depends on this. The harness performs the function of transferring traction gain from the animal to the cart itself. Then the horse remains functional for a long time. To achieve the best effect, the harness is selected individually for each horse, depending on its size and constitution. Additionally, special belts are used for adjustment.

There are 3 main types of harness: for one horse, a pair of horses, and also a multi-horse variety, which is used for threes. As for the latter, in Western countries there are still subspecies for four, six and eight horses. In addition, there are harnesses: traveling, transport, arcless and arc. A more detailed classification is also known: row-and-drawbar, clamp-shaft, row-by-row and Russian. All these options differ in their design and way of harnessing the horse.

Gallery: horse cart (25 photos)

Horse chaise (video)

Shaft-arc harness

Shaft-arc type harness is considered a traditional method. By the way, it is an original Russian version. To understand how to harness a horse, you must first know what parts the structure consists of. It is imperative to check the presence of all elements. There must definitely be a horse clamp with tugs. A cap, a bow, a saddle and other parts are also required. Clamps are selected for all horses, based on the individual parameters of each. This design should fit neatly to the horse's shoulders. If the part is too large, then it is narrowed inside by sewing felt. If the structure is small for a horse, then it cannot be used with a cart. You also don’t need to use a saddle strap without a saddle, since the thin strap rubs the skin a lot. It must be pulled tight and passed through the top of the saddle. The harness must be completely assembled. This part evenly distributes pressure on the horses body.

Now there are several types of such vehicles

Each detail has its place and sequence when put on. To harness a horse, you must perform the following steps:

You have to start by putting on the bridle. In cold weather, you first need to warm up the bit. Otherwise, the cooled iron can harm the tissues.
Now the harness goes as follows: take the harness in your left hand, place the saddle in your right hand, which is supposed to be placed on the back of the horses. First, place it on the area that is located closer to the withers, and then straighten the hair and bring the part further.
The front of the saddle should be located higher than the withers, and the back, on the contrary, should lie lower on the back - approximately between the 9th and 15th ribs.
I straighten the harness of the saddles and place them about 10 cm from the horse’s elbow. Tighten the girth so that 2 fingers can be inserted between the body and the girth.
Then you need to put a collar on the horse. It should be turned with the bottom side up and passed through the horse's head. When the part is level with the narrow part of the neck, you need to turn the clamp over and install it correctly. Then straighten the fur and throw the harness over the animal’s body.
Now you need to lead the horse into the shafts. The ends should be located approximately near the tugs.
On the right side, you need to fasten the interlace to the loops. Then do the same on the other side.
Hold the tug in your left hand, and carefully take the horse's bow. It should be carefully brought under the left shaft and circled counterclockwise. Then tighten the ends into loops. Repeat the same steps only on the other side to install the right shaft.
Now you need to go to the horse’s shoulder blade, take the soup and tighten the 2 ends of the clamp. Be sure to check if there is enough tug. If the ends cannot be closed, then it is necessary to lengthen the clamp itself. If the ends are closed, then the arc is poorly positioned, then it is recommended to shorten the tugs.
Reins must be attached to the bridle, which can be threaded through the middle part of the arch if the harnessed horse is obedient. If she doesn’t listen well, then it’s best to do it from the outside.
It is necessary to ensure that the tugs are located behind the arc, not in front. You should definitely check the horse cart for stability and mobility.

There is another option - a line-drawbar harness. This option is used when work is carried out simultaneously with 2 horses. For example, it is used in agricultural work. But in order to harness a horse to a cart like this, you need a drawbar. This is a single type shaft, which will be located in the middle. Each animal is fastened to it: the horse must stand still. The main parts of such a harness are lines, stripes and bibs. If you need to figure out how to properly harness a horse to such a structure, then the algorithm of actions is as follows:

Put on bridles and collars.
Place the horses on both sides of the drawbar.
Place a strap from each horse on the drawbar and secure it in the bib ring. The stitchers will control how the line is stretched. In addition, they secure the clamp.
Secure the bibs using the lines and clamp.
Attach the reins to the bridle.

Line-by-line harness is another option, the simplest, since there are no shafts, drawbars, or arcs. In most cases, this method is called tie-down. It is used for carts, for carriages, and for various equipment that is used in agricultural work (for example, a plow and a harrow). There is nothing difficult about harnessing a horse using this method. The bottom line is that you need to put a harness on the horse and fix it to the cart ring. The scheme for putting on the harness itself resembles the diagram of a shaft-arc harness.

Horse cart (video)

DIY making

If you are interested in how to make a cart with your own hands, you must first read the instructions, prepare the appropriate tools and materials, and complete diagrams and drawings. Only after this can you make a horse cart with your own hands. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

First you need to complete the chassis of the entire structure. The chassis consists of a welded solid frame and axles for the wheels. You can carry out welding yourself, but if you do not have the necessary experience and skills, then it is best to entrust this work to a specialist. The axles and frame can be made from a profile: then they will be solid. Another option is pipes with thick walls.
Now you need to make a stationary axis, which will be located at the rear. Then make the one that will be in front. It should turn on the pin (2 washers should be fixed).
Before you finish the axle that will be located in the front, you need to decide on the type of cart. If it is a drawbar, then you will have to additionally make a special clamp for the drawbar. The shafts must be welded to the front axle, and a special clamp will also be needed. In other words, the shafts will not be removed, but they must be positioned movably so that, due to the holder, they can be directed to the sides, up, down. By the way, they can be fixed on a bracket. For reinforcement, cords are used - these are wire rods. Their diameter should be approximately 1 cm. The wire rod should be fixed to the front axle and shaft.
The chassis needs to be completed by installing the wheels. If necessary, they also install brakes.
Now you need to make the body to your taste. You can simply cut the boards and make a platform that will be attached to the frame. This option can be modified.
Shafts can be made from metal pipes. Wooden beams are also suitable.
You can make a seat in the back.

Horse carts are the oldest means of transport. Gradually they were improved and modified, so that new designs appeared (for example, carriages). The harnessing process also gradually became more complicated.