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Two horse collars

A horse collar is a device used to distribute load around a horse's neck, for pulling a wagon or plow. The horse collar was invented by 400 BC in China, and spread to Europe around the 8th or 9th century. The horse collar was important in the development of Europe, as the replacement of the oxen with horses for ploughing boosted the economy, reduced reliance on subsistence farming, and allowed the development of early industry, education and the arts.

In Europe second to the research made by Lefebvre des Noëttes, prior the sixth century, ploughs and carts were pulled using harnesses that had flat straps across the neck and chest of the animal, with the load attached at the top of the collar, above the neck. These straps pressed against the horse's trachea which restricted its breathing and reducing the pulling power of the horse. The harder the horse pulled, the more strongly it choked off its own breathing. Oxen were used in preference to horses, as they do not have this problem due to anatomical differences and could be yoked to their loads.

Around the sixth century, the breast strap harness was introduced in Germany, making the use of horses for pulling possible. A horse collar is not circular and it is by design not very flexible. Instead,it is a padded appliance that conforms well to the shape of the horse's body and has somewhat the shape of a keyhole (see the photograph). It is so constructed that at all points of contact with the body of the horse it avoids the air passage. By protecting the airway of the horse it became possible for them to use their full force to pull their loads. From the time of invention of this kind of horse collar, horses became very much more valuable for agriculture and for pulling heavy vehicles.

Following the introduction of the horse collar in the 8th or 9th century, the use of horses for ploughing became widespread. Horses work roughly 50 percent faster than oxen. Using horses (and a slightly improved plow), peasant farmers could produce a surplus. A surplus gave them goods to trade at crossroads markets on weekends. Markets soon turned into towns. Towns meant some folks could give up farming and just make goods for sale. A proliferation of such goods meant some people could live purely by buying and selling. Hence the horse collar played a pivotal role in ending the feudal system and launching the rise of Europe.

• Photo of horse with breast strap harness - Creative Commons Attribution license