How to Measure a Harness for a Horse

A properly fitting harness is essential for any equine driving discipline, from harness racing to competitive pulling. A harness a little too small or a little too large can cause sores, strains and other injuries to the horse. Most harnesses come in five sizes: small pony, pony, cob, horse and draft horse.There is usually some variation between makers within these sizes. The best harnesses are custom-fit to the horse. Acquiring proper measurements takes only a few steps.

Things You'll Need

  • Harness
  • Horse
  • Fabric tape measure
  • 2 carpenter's squares (for hames collar harnesses)
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Instructions

  1. Measure the Horse

    • 1

      Run the tape from the corner of the horse's mouth across his poll to the other side of his mouth for his bridle measurement. Measure around his nose, two fingers below his cheekbone, for the nose band.

    • 2

      Measure the circumference of his girth just behind the withers, where the harness saddle will sit.

    • 3

      Measure the line from the back of the saddle to the base of the tail for the crupper, or back strap.

    • 4

      Take a measurement from the point of hip to point of hip around the horse's hindquarters for the breeching. Measure across the horse's loin from the breeching line on either side.

    • 5

      For a breast-collar harness, measure from the lower point of the neck to the point of the withers, then across the chest from girth line to girth line.

    • 6

      If using a hames collar-style harness, you must also measure the collar for the horse's neck. The horse can be measured by using two carpenter's squares placed together to form half a square. Using the measure as a bracket, place one side of the square two inches below the lower point of the horse's neck, the other right in front of his withers, so the long side of the doubled square lies along his shoulder line. Measure the distance between the lower arm and the upper arm.

    Measure the Harness

    • 7

      For every part of the harness, take two measurements--one at the tightest adjustment and one at the most extended--to get the full range of sizes that part will fit. Measure the bridle from the mouthpiece of the bit, along the leather of the headstall, to the same point on the other side. Measure the length of the nose band.

    • 8

      Measure the girth all the way around. Be certain to run the tape under the saddle padding.

    • 9

      Measure the length of the back strap from the crupper to the saddle. Measure the breeching strap and the hip strap that supports it.

    • 10

      Measure the breast collar and the support strap. If using a hames collar, measure across the inside of the collar from the center of the narrow side to the center of the wide side.

    • 11

      Compare the two sets of measurements. The breeching strap should be several inches longer than the actual measurement across the horse's buttocks, to allow the breeching to hang freely. If the other measurements on your harness fall within the range of the measurements of your horse, that harness will probably, with a few minor adjustments, fit the horse.