How to Attach a Harness to a Cart on a Horse

Put a halter on the horse, and cross-tie him or have a helper hold him. Place the harness saddle onto the horse's back just behind the withers. Put the breast collar around the horse's neck. Most breast collars have shoulder buckles, so there is no need to undo the halter or cross-tie to place it. Lay the ends of the traces over the horse's back to keep them from dragging. Pull the end of the false martingale, hanging from the breast collar, between the horse's front legs. Pull the girth through the loop on the martingale and fasten it, tightening it until it is snug, though not as tight as on a riding saddle.

Slide the crupper over the tail until the cup of the crupper rests closely beneath the tail and the breaching, if any, hangs below the hips. Make certain the tail hairs are smooth under the crupper to avoid irritation. Fasten the backstrap to the fork of the saddle just tight enough to keep the crupper snug, but not tight enough to cut circulation at the base of the tail.

Remove the halter. For safety, refasten it around the horse's neck; leave one of the cross-ties attached to the halter, or have a helper hold the horse. Bridle the horse by holding the bridle near the brow band with the right hand while holding both the driving bit and the check bit in the left. Standing under the horse's neck, face forward. Raise both hands so the bits are in front of the horse's mouth and the brow band is near his ears. Place the bits in the horse's mouth by either gently touching the teeth or by inserting the right thumb into the mouth in the gum area just behind the front teeth to encourage the horse to open. Pull the crownpiece into place behind the horse's ears, taking care to smooth the forelock out from under the crown and brow band. The driving bit should rest snugly in the corners of the mouth, leaving about two or three wrinkles, with the second, smaller check bit resting lightly on the upper bars of the mouth. Fasten the noseband and the throatlatch, leaving only a little slack. Run the reins through the martingale, if using one, and the ring terret, or upper rings on the top of the saddle.

Bring the cart into place with the shafts on either side of the horse. Slide the shafts through the tug loops on either side of the saddle until the cart is in the proper position, with the end of the shafts no farther forward than the horse's shoulders. Attach the end of the traces from the breast collar to the hooks on the shaft, or on the cart, through the loop on the shaft, and fasten them in place. The breast collar should be snug. Pull the long end of the overgirth from under the belly on both sides to wrap around the shafts on either side of the tugs, locking them in place. The traces should run between the girth and the overgirth. Pull the overgirth tight, and buckle it in place. If the harness has breeching, fasten the breeching strap around the shaft so the breeching hangs loosely but will tighten if the horse must back up.

Remove the halter. Fasten the overcheck or sidecheck to the hook on the top of the harness saddle. Be certain the check rein is not too tight for your purpose. An overly tight check limits the horse's ability to use his head and neck, but no check at all allows him to dive under the bit.

Gather your reins. Climb into the cart from the left side, grab your buggy whip, and drive.