The importance of hitch control
Choosing safe equipment, adapted to the needs of workers and in good condition, is an essential point in terms of the safety and well-being of workers when carrying out their work. The slightest defect in the hitching equipment can lead to injury to several people (driver and companions, but also other road users). This is why this section is dedicated to them. When hitching, the check is carried out both on the harness and on the car.
Harness Check
The various parts of the harness must be subject to strict inspection and regular maintenance. The following points should be taken into consideration: The integrity of all the seams. The integrity of the girth straps where they rub on the buckle rollers and where the tongues pass through them. The strength and proper attachment of the guide keys. The integrity of the back strap. It must be removed from its housing each time the harness is dismantled. The strength of the crupper strap and the quality of its attachment to the saddle tree. This part is subjected to high stresses and, in the event of a break, the saddle will fall onto the horse's legs.
If there is any doubt about the condition of this piece, a spur strap can be passed around the tree. The mouthpiece must not be too worn. The leathers must be rewashed after each ride and greased regularly.
Car check
There are several points to check on the trailer. First, the condition of the welds where they join the tubes. The welds must be free of cracks. Then the condition of the axle ball bearings. To do this, the wheels must be lifted frequently and turned. If intermittent resistance is felt, the bearings must be changed. The proper functioning of the front axle pivot system, as well as that of the brakes, must be checked.
The horse-drawn carriage must also be maintained regularly. The braking system of horse-drawn carriages is similar to the technology found on automobiles and is maintained in the same way (changing the pads, renewing the fluid and bleeding the circuit). Another important operation is the lubrication of the metal joints which are sometimes equipped with grease nipples.
Horse equipment
The horse's equipment is also important. Many accidents occur following the breakage of one of the key parts of the harness (girth, stirrup leather, etc.) or other equipment in poor condition (broken halter snap hook, etc.). Choosing good quality equipment is therefore already a good basis. You will find such equipment on La Sellerie Française . This equipment must be adapted to the morphology of the horse and the discipline practiced.
Leathers must be chosen so as to be non-brittle and resistant to great stresses. The seams must be well made and the metal fasteners (carabiner, metal attachment buckles, etc.) must be well fixed and made of metal that is sufficiently strong and resistant. To ensure their viability over time, the leathers must be maintained (cleaning and greasing) regularly.
This maintenance ensures their flexibility and therefore limits the risk of tears. Before starting work, the staff must ensure that the equipment used is in good condition. The leathers must be free of cracks, splits or tears (stirrup leathers, girths, bridles, harnesses, etc.). Damaged leather can give way during significant effort and unbalance the rider in the case of a stirrup leather or cause the saddle to fall.