The reimagined Grandvallier harness: sustainable forestry tradition

Directly inspired by the traditional know-how of timber haulers from Eastern France, the Grandvallier harness is the benchmark piece of equipment for heavy pulling work in forests or steep terrain. At Joie de l'attelage, this great classic is reinterpreted using modern materials such as BioThane® and high-strength stainless-steel hardware. This perfect combination preserves the unique ergonomics and load distribution specific to the Grandvallier model, while eliminating the leather maintenance constraints caused by moisture and mud.

The Grandvallier harness has the advantage of offering very powerful and comfortable breeching for the horse. The term Grandvallier comes from the inhabitants of the Grandvaux region in the Upper Jura. Their particularity, for centuries, was the transport of goods. The Grandvallier carters were known throughout France. Every autumn they set off on roads and tracks in small convoys of carts pulled by a single horse, carrying local products: timber, fir logs, cheeses.

By taking up the main principles of these harnesses, they have been redesigned in Biothane® for strength and ease of maintenance. All the fittings are stainless steel.

These harnesses have no breeching strap and are compatible with American collars. The traces are supplied with the harness, but without reins or bridle.

With 2 collars, 2 Grandvallier harnesses and 2 breeching martingales, this is the ideal equipment for pulling heavy loads. A yoke on the pole is strongly recommended.

For single harnessing, a breeching martingale is not necessary; simple breeching straps attached to the shafts are sufficient. However, a saddle is essential. The saddle available is from the brand ZILCO.

It is entirely possible to convert the Grandvallier harness into an agricultural harness by installing a spider instead of the breeching (everything is already planned for this!).

The Grandvallier harness without breeching martingale is priced at 350 Euros.

Description of the Grandvallier harness.