Abstract: A link member with wear crutch, the linking member including a pair of side arms and at least one integrally formed loop end portion, the inner surfaces of the side arms and loop end portion defining a friction surface, the inner surfaces of the respective side arms diverging from one another away from the loop end portion and the wear crutch including two curved surfaces arranged as an outer and an inner surface, the outer surface to abut a surface of the linking member in a loop end portion and the inner surface presenting a wear surface for the linking member, and whereby the outer and inner surfaces intersect one another at opposite ends of the wear crutch along common edge portions, and a pair of substantially parallel locating arms adapted to abut respective surfaces of the linking member such that said common edge portions each engage an adjacent arm in a substantially flush manner when the wear crutch is seated on the linking member.

Abstract: A lifting girdle apparatus for enhancing the performance of a harness racing horse includes a lifting girdle affixed to a harness and sulky at two points on each side of the horse with a clip that attaches to the harness, behind approximately the front quarter of the horse, and with a securing strap that runs vertically towards and around the shaft of the sulky. The securing strap is preferably made to be adjustable, for example by constructing the securing strap as a belt and utilizing a belt buckle. The ability to adjust the distance between the attachment clips and the lifting girdle allows for a trainer to configure the lifting girdle device apparatus for different sized horses for producing an optimum setting for horses of almost any size.

Abstract: A harness for horse racing has a back-engaging tree with an arched body shaped to fit across a horse's back, a pair of laterally-spaced fork members projecting downwardly from opposite sides of the arched body so as to extend downwardly on opposite sides of the horse's body when in use, and a pair of laterally-spaced independently resiliently deflectable spring members extending rearwardly from the arched body and shaped to confirm with the shape of a horse's back. A girth strap assembly is attached to the back-engaging tree, the girth strap assembly having shaft attachments on opposite sides thereof below the back-engaging tree for attaching the shafts of a sulky thereto.

Abstract: A hitch assembly includes two frame members. One frame member of the frame includes a locking assembly for coupling the hitch assembly to a shaft of a sulky. The other frame member of the frame is adapted to secure the frame assembly to a harness of an animal such as a horse. A release assembly such as a pull pin assembly is utilized to releasably secure the first frame member to the second frame member. A method for releasing an animal harness from a vehicle is also described.

Abstract: Hitch for securing a racing sulky to a harness or saddle of a horse. The hitch has an elongated, generally cylindrical body which includes a frustoconical tapered front portion, a generally cylindrical mid-portion and a cylindrical rear portion of slightly smaller diameter than that of the mid-portion so as to form a shoulder. The rear portion is adapted to be inserted into the open end of a tubular shaft, such as a shaft of a racing sulky. When so inserted, the hitch may be permanently secured to the shaft. The mid-portion of the hitch includes cylindrical front and rear end members which adjoin the front portion and the rear portion respectively of the hitch. The mid-portion of the hitch has one or more cutouts which define a longitudinally extending rigid strut and (when there is more than one such cutout) one or more transverse spacer discs, which are spaced from the end members and from each other. A rigid rod extends through the rear portion and the mid-portion of the hitch.

Abstract: A sulky cart, preferably leaving shafts with off-set forward end portions, is releasably attached to an off-set elongated sleeve member with a connector assembly on the forward end of the sleeve member. The connector assembly contains a rotatable ball with a central aperture for sliding over a harness pin secured to and extending from a harness saddle. The harness pin is provided near its outer end with a normally locked locking device, so that the cast can be hitched to the saddle harness by sliding the harness pin and locking device through the central aperture in the ball.

Abstract: Apparatus for attaching the shafts of a sulky to the harness of a horse. A cup on a tug strap is attached to the free end of the shaft. The tug strap is pivotally attached to the harness along the length of the tug strap. A shaft loop attached to the harness encircles the shaft. The remote end of the tug strap is attached to the shaft aft of the harness. The tug strap extends substantially parallel to and in alignment with the shaft forward of the harness and for a distance aft of the harness. Provision is provided for vertical and horizontal adjustment of the shaft relative to the horse.

Abstract: A harness for a horse and sulky comprising a saddle and an elastic girth and a method for attaching the harness to the shafts of a sulky. The saddle includes a bearing strap extending down the sides of the saddle and attaches to each end of the girth. The bearing strap is secured to the top of and at two locations on each side of the saddle. A sulky shaft loop is attached to the bearing strap between the saddle attachment points. A tie down strap attached to the top of the saddle and extending down therefrom is wrapped around the sulky shaft passing through each shaft loop and is tightly secured to the top of the saddle, pulling and securing the shafts and the shaft loops in an upward direction. The shaft loops are adjustably positioned on the bearing straps. A safety strap is loosely fitted to the elastic girth and wrapped around the sulky shafts with slack therebetween.