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Pushing to Pull.
Aug 2015

A guide to equine full-neck collar draught.

The utilization of working equids is dependent upon the application of appropriate
harness. Harness represents the means by which equids instigate draught and is
required to be complete, comfortable, fit for purpose and allow the animal freedom of
movement without constraint or injury as a result.
It consists of a series of strategically positioned straps and adapted fittings designed to
capture the animals forces of draught (FOD) in an efficient, and sympathetic manner
without undue suffering.
Long established, universal principles in harness design and application, largely
unchanged since the twelfth century remain the key to efficient draught. Regardless of
location or breed of equine these principles remain appropriate
In understanding harness configuration and the dynamics of equine draught in
accordance with the animals conformation, many of the difficulties working equine
experience in developing countries, could be largely overcome.
Harness consists of four component parts relative to the four principles of draught.
These are the Bridle, (Steering), Collar (Transmission), Saddle,(Weight distribution) and
Breeching (Braking).
When and where applicable, each of these component parts plays a cohesive role in
animal draught where they independently respond to the needs of the animal when it is
using its strength for the purposes of draught, meaning to pull.

Pulling is a misconception. For equids to pull they must first PUSH.

Equids use their back legs and hind quarters to PUSH forward in order to initiate
pulling. Central and crucial to the execution of draught are collars that are designed to
fit around the frontal regions of the animal (breast, neck, shoulder) where the points of
draught (POD) are located.
Attached to the collar are traces that run alongside the animal to the POD on the
vehicle/implement they are ostensibly pulling.

Collars come in two forms, the full-neck collar and the breast collar.

Full Neck Collar

Breast Collar

Both perform the same function. However, the full-neck collar is best suited for
the purposes of draught as they are designed to correspond with, and absorb the
animals energy at their optimum POD. They also succeed in distributing draught
forces over a larger area of the shoulders.
For this, great care must be taken in the production of collars. It is required to be
of the correct size for the animal.
The Breast collar (see figure 1) is the most commonly used and consists of a
wide band that is positioned around the animals breast and held in place by a
neck strap. They can be used to good effect with 2 or 4 wheeled vehicles. To
either end of the breast collar traces are attached that run the full length of the
animal. Energy is transmitted through these to the point of impact. This type
collar is best suited to light haulage work over smooth, flat surfaces. Breast
collars are NOT appropriate for ground tillage.
Advantages: Breast collars are cheap and simple to manufacture, and are
interchangeable. One size fits all.
Disadvantages: By being positioned below the optimum POD, (A2 Figure
1)maximum draft cannot be achieved. Therefore approximately 25% of the draft
is lost.
To avoid serious injury they must be used in conjunction with swingle trees.
This is a critical piece of equipment that prevents rubbing in the shoulder/chest
region.

Full collars..See figure 2

Made primarily from straw, they are designed to carry the hames onto which the
traces are attached. In effect, the collar acts as a cushion between the hames and
the animal. The size and shape of full collars is of prime importance. They must
be stuffed in such a way as to allow clearance to the throat and withers and to
keep the traces clear of the animals sides.
Advantages: Full collars allow the animal to achieve maximum draft by
corresponding with its POD (A1. Figure 2) and dispersing the applied forces
evenly over the shoulders and neck without causing hindrance to movement. This
is highly desirable in terms of efficiency.
Disadvantages: Collar making is a highly skilled craft and labour intensive. It
requires many years of training to perfect. Its important to emphasis that size
matters. Therefore they must be made to measure. As a rule: one horse, one
collar applies. Collars that are too big will move and the resultant friction will
cause injury. If to small, will cause choking and difficulties with breathing.
Figure 1. Breast collar Draught.

Figure 2. Full Neck Collar Draught.

Collars, as has already been illustrated, are the key component to efficient equine
draught with the full neck-collar being the most effective.
For full neck-collars to be efficient, there are certain criterion that needs to be adhered to
during construction.

First and foremost, (see figure 3) it is necessary to understand and determine the
animals optimum POD.
This lies in a region just in front of the spine of the scapula and above the shoulder joint.
Great care should be taken in establishing this. It also varies slightly between animals
and their activity.

Figure 3

T. Davis

Figure 4

Determining the collar size.

Collar body draught area to
correspond with draught point on
animal

Having established the optimum POD, it then becomes important to produce a collar that
fits the animal correctly and where its POD aligns with the POD of the animal.
Determining the size of the collar required can be done by measuring the animals neck
from a point in front of the withers in a straight line to the throat and in measuring the
width of its neck between its POD. (see figure 4)
Collars are required to be rigid in order to retain their form and to give the animal a firm
frame to push against. At the same time, where the collar body comes into contact
with the animals shoulders when pushing, it should be soft providing a cushion on
which the pressures of draught are brought to bear.
Collars that are lacking in rigidity will, when in draught, collapse and tighten around the
animals neck potentially causing injury and/or breathing difficulties. The harder the
animal pushes into such a collar, the tighter it will become thereby reducing its
efficiency.
It has long been recognized in developing countries, that largely as the result of poverty,
lack of knowledge and the unavailability of necessary skills training, the harnessing of
equines is an area where many faults remain needlessly unresolved.
The use of full-neck collars remains a contentious issue. It is regarded by some
interventionists to be new technology, too complex, too sophisticated and unaffordable
for introduction to developing countries.
By others it is seen as a huge step in the right direction and the salvation of working
equids and the local communities they serve.
The supposed complexities of this new technology, which in truth is a very old
technology, should not be regarded as an obstacle in pursuing improvements to
harnessing methods.
Given qualified tuition in the dynamics of equine draught and basic manufacturing
techniques, harness production is easily mastered by those who possess the necessary
practical abilities needed to see its development.
By denying the introduction of this important technology, the plight of working equids is
likely to remain static and unresolved and local communities disadvantaged.
Having spent many years observing the difficulties of equine draught in developing
countries, the conclusion is that the direct cause of draught inefficiency and the high
incidence of neck/shoulder injuries lies entirely with poorly designed, badly constructed,
ill-fitting collars and a lack of understanding in equine draught dynamics.
To address this, a simple, efficient, fit-for-purpose, cost-effective collar that fulfills all the
criterion of equine draught and capable of being
manufactured in-situ is called for.
The collar illustrated (figure 5) represents such a
collar. This was a prototype designed in 2012 and
field-tested in Egypt that same year. It proved
popular with donkey owners/users, not to mention
donkeys.
Donkeys have an unhelpful, inherent design fault.
They have unduly large heads and narrow necks.
Collars designed to fit their necks cannot therefore
be passed over their heads as in the conventional
method of collar application.
One solution is to use open-top collars, these open at
the top and can be slipped over the animals neck.
The problem here is that such a collar annuls the
principle of collar rigidity and would result in
excessive movement and potential injury.
Figure 5

The full-neck collar is without doubt the most efficient means devised for effective
draught as it works with the animal in its efforts to push/pull.
Its efficiency is due to its form and in how it is designed to follow the contours of the
animal and to be in alignment with its POD
If evidence is needed of its worth, we need only look to history to see that this method
has been used by equids for more than 1000 years. This is a proven technology that has
stood the test of time and to undermine or ignore it is to be unacquainted with its
dynamics and benefits.
Figure 6 (post Egypt) illustrates modifications to the collar. It is designed to simplify the
process of manufacture while retaining the necessary criterion to ensure efficiency.
In its current form the principle material is wood. This provides the rigidity needed for the
animal to push against.
Materials used for the body of the collar can be wide and varied. Natural materials such
as wool, cotton etc. are preferable particularly in areas where it makes direct contact
with the animal.
Metal fittings, to allow for a degree of adjustment are necessary. With guidance, these
simple fittings could be easily fashioned by local blacksmiths.
Working equids are used extensively in developing countries both in rural and urban
areas where livelihoods depend upon them. Regrettably, they are not used to best effect
for reasons mentioned above.
This is a collar capable of being produced locally using locally available materials
(primarily wood, fabric and metal) and priced accordingly relative to local economies and
labour costs.
The design is universal and with simple adjustment, can be used on donkeys, horses or
mules.
Once in use, it will lead to greater efficiency resulting in increased productivity, improved
livelihoods and enhanced prosperity on a local level to the benefit of all.
Figure 6
Full-neck collar. (Modified)