Lilley's Belgians

    Measurements for Bridle and Harness
  • A. From corner of mouth, over poll, to other corner of mouth.
  • B. Length around nose, taken about two fingers width below the prominent cheek bone.
  • C. Length of girth.
  • D. Length of back from position of harness saddle to base of tail.
  • E. Length of horse, from point of shoulder to buttock.
  • F. Height at withers.
      Measurements for a Collar
    • G. Length from top of base of neck at proper position of collar. Line should be straight, not
    • conforming to horse's body.
    • H. If possible, measure collar which fits the horse, using the inside dimensions of the collar, as
    • shown.
 
 
    Measuring a Collar
  • Place the ruler against the collar cap and measure to the inside brim of the throat as illustrated. For size of draft, draw a tape line around the collar at the heaviest part, as illustrated.
    Order your hames 2 sizes larger than your collar.


 
The Perfect Fitting Collar!
It does not matter how well a horse collar is made, if it is not properly fitted to the horse, it is sure to hurt him. It is therefore necessary to use the greatest care in selecting the proper shape and size of collar.

The illustration shows how a collar should be fitted. If care is taken in fitting the collar and adjusting the hames so the hame tug comes over center of draft, you have eliminated all trouble of sore necks and shoulders, and the horse will work with ease and comfort. More horses are ruined by collars fitting too large than from any other cause.

When fitting a horse with a collar there should not be any more space between the horse's neck and the throat of the collar than will allow your four fingers, when laid flat on the inside of the throat of the collar, to pass freely. As illustrated above.
 

 

 
Harness Parts & Names


 
Not all of these names may be in use in your region, harness part names do tend to vary around the country and world. If you have any questions this diagram should help, and if not please send us a note and we will see what we can come up with.

 
    Harness Parts
  • 1. Browband
  • 2. Winkerbrace
  • 3. Blind
  • 4. Nose Band
  • 5. Bit Strap
  • 6. Bit
  • 7. Crown
  • 8. Bridle Cheek
  • 9. Throat Latch
  • 10. Line (front part)
  • 11. Hame
  • 12. Breast Strap
  • 13. Pole Strap
  • 14. Collar Strap
  • 15. Trace Safe
  • 16. Belly Band
    Harness Parts Continued
  • 17. Back Band
  • 18. Collar
  • 19. Back Strap
  • 20. Rump Safe
  • 21. Back Band Billet
  • 22. Loop on Trace
  • 23. Belly Band Billet
  • 24. Quarter Strap
  • 25. Lazy Strap or Mud Carrier
  • 26. Trace or Tug
  • 27. Heel Chain
  • 28. Layer Loop
  • 29. Breeching
  • 30. Hip Strap
  • 31. Line (hand part)
  • 32. Trace Carrier

How do I decide which collar to use?

Different horses need different collars. Use the table of images and information below to help you choose which collar will best suit your needs. Please note: All our collars are handmade and may differ slightly from images on this site. All are of the highest quality and craftsmanship.

Full Sweeny (FS) are for heavy and "stud like" necks, where the neck is extremely thick at the upper part of the neck.
Half Sweeny (HS) fits necks that are side and thick at the upper part of the neck. Most Draft Horses use HS.
Full Face (FF) or straight collars fits flat and slender necks. Most buggy horses use FF.
Mule Collars have very straight sides and are available by special orde
For size of draft, measure around the collar at the widest part, as illustrated right.

 

 

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