hames collar

A hames collar is a type of horse collar used in a draft animal's harness. The harness is the gear that attaches a draft animal, like a horse, to a load. The modern harness, developed in China before 500 AD, includes a padded collar that rests on the animal's shoulders.1

Attached to this collar are two rigid metal pieces called hames, secured by straps. These hames are where the traces, straps that connect to the load, are fastened. The horse collar, particularly the hames collar, was a significant medieval invention. It allowed horses to pull loads more efficiently without choking, unlike older yokes that pressed on their windpipes. This innovation greatly improved transportation and the use of horses as draft animals.123