How did better horse collars and plows improve farming in northern France during the Middle Ages?

During the Middle Ages, the introduction of the wheeled plow and the horse collar significantly enhanced agricultural productivity in northern France and across Europe.12

• The Wheeled Plow: By the late 10th century, a wheeled asymmetrical plow equipped with a coulter and a rudimentary moldboard came into use. Unlike earlier tools, this plow could invert the soil and turn a true furrow, which created a superior seedbed for crops.1
• The Horse Collar: Previously, horses were yoked using harness bands that pressed against their windpipes, severely restricting their strength. The rigid, padded horse collar shifted the pressure to the animal's shoulders, allowing the horse to exert its full tractive power. This enabled horses to perform heavier work, such as plowing and hauling, more efficiently than the traditional ox teams.123

These innovations allowed medieval farmers to cultivate heavier land and increase the overall quantity and variety of food production, which in turn supported growing populations.34