Abstract: Harness device for horse-drawn vehicles, comprising in combination a saddle bow (6) having a pommel (15) and a cantle (16) and a length between the pommel and the cantle of at least about 350 mm, extending forwardly of each side of the withers (19) of a horse and comprising padding over all the surface bearing on the back of the horse. Two pairs of lateral straps (9, 10) are adjustable as to length and are mounted on the flanks of the saddle bow and connected to a belly band (11). A spherical ball (4) is fixedly secured to the pommel of the saddle bow, and projects upwardly. A forward end of a shaft (2) for drawing the vehicle bears a socket (3) of a shape matching that of the spherical ball. The socket encloses the ball and is adapted to incline in all directions on the ball. The sphere (4) is inclined forwardly upwardly lengthwise of the horse at an angle (.alpha.) of about 7.degree. with respect to the vertical.