a novice question or two if i may

[longshot38]

ive seen several photos of single oxen with neck yokes attached to shafts directly. if this is where the “power” comes from what is the purpose of the straps across the animals back and around the backs of the hind legs? if the back strap takes the weight of the shafts off the animals neck why do you need the other pieces of tack?

sorry if these seem to be silly questions but i have never seen oxen in use in person but i am trying to learn

thanks
dean

[Oxbow Farm]

In that situation I believe the main purpose of the britchen is to help with backing. In general the britchen helps keep the yoke from sliding too far forward on the neck and also from falling off to one side or the other. A single yoke is a lot less stable than a team yoke, the britchen adds stability. IMO

[mathuranatha]

In India they seem to put a thick strap from the middle of the shafts right around the animals chest and back and it is fairly snug .As the carts are not often balanced very well especially while being loaded/unloaded , going up or down hills the bullock can raise or lower his head and transfer the pressure onto the waist strap thereby stopping the extreme weight from either pushing down onto his neck or from trying to lift him up by the neck and choke him.

And yep strap or rope etc behind the rump is for slowing the wagon down , holding it back going down hills ,or for backing .

–mat —

[Author]

Posts