Historical information

Hames are attached to a horse collar used to distribute the load around a horse's neck and shoulders when pulling a wagon or plough. The collar often supports and pads a pair of curved metal or wood pieces, called hames, to which the traces, which attach to the wagon or plough, of the harness are attached. The collar allows the horse to use its full strength when pulling.
This pair of hames would have been used on a farm in the Orbost district for pulling ploughs or other farm implements.

Significance

Horses were a vital part of the agricultural industry in Orbost before the mechanisation of farm machinery. This item is associated with that time.

Physical description

Wooden hames with leather traces which have chains and springs (to absorb shock) on each end.