Yoke

A reddish brown yoke consisting of a curved timber beam in which two staffs are inserted on each end, and to which is bound an iron ring in the middle. It was used for coupling draft animals to the plow during plowing season, and to the thresher for the threshing of wheat. In both cases, the tools are secured to the yoke through the ring. The beam, supporting the entire device, acts as a crossbar and rests on the withers of the beasts. Each two rods form an inverted “V” -shaped insert and harness the necks of the beasts, both are then secured together via ties and ropes. The coupling could be symmetric (Two animals of the same kind such as horses, donkeys, oxen...) or asymmetric. The most common coupling was the symmetric use of oxen, preferred for their high traction strength and resistance to toil. The lanyard or bridle binding the ring to the beam plays an important part in adjusting the equilibrium of the device and increasing the drafting load on the stronger animal's side.