BioThane Driving Harness Explained

What BioThane driving harness is

BioThane driving harness is harness made wholly or partly from coated webbing marketed under the registered BioThane name. The material is not leather, and it is not simply solid plastic. It normally consists of a textile webbing core, commonly polyester or polyethylene, with a polymer coating applied to its outer surfaces. The coating may be polyurethane-based or PVC-based, depending on the product family.

The term is often used loosely in the trade to describe any brightly coloured, waterproof-looking synthetic harness. That is technically imprecise. Genuine BioThane is a brand of coated webbing made by BioThane Coated Webbing Corporation; other manufacturers produce visually similar polyurethane- or PVC-coated webbings. For a buyer, the relevant questions are therefore not only whether a product is called “BioThane”, but which coating class, webbing core, width, thickness, construction method and hardware specification have been used.

In driving harness, coated webbing is used for components such as traces, tugs, reins, girths, bellybands, breastcollars, breeching straps, backbands, cruppers and portions of the bridle. Some harnesses are entirely synthetic, while others combine coated webbing with leather, padded materials, rope, stainless-steel fittings or conventional harness leather. The design must still follow the functional requirements of the vehicle and the horse. Changing the material does not change the purpose of the component.

How the material is constructed

The webbing core provides much of the tensile structure. The polymer coating protects the fibres, gives the strap its surface finish and contributes to resistance against water, dirt, abrasion and some chemicals. The coating also affects flexibility, grip, stiffness, surface friction and the way the material behaves around buckles and fittings.

Related industry reference: For businesses moving from technical research into trade sourcing, explore driving-harness suppliers on EquiGuild.

Stable and recovery rugs serve a different purpose from turnout rugs: insulation and moisture management matter more than waterproofing. Readers can compare current fleece and cooler rug options from JSM Equestrian Supplies alongside the principles discussed here.

BioThane’s own product information distinguishes between several coating families. Examples include Beta PVC products and TPU products such as Gold, Granite and Diamond. These families differ in coating chemistry, surface texture, flexibility and abrasion performance. A specification for one product cannot safely be applied to every product sold as BioThane.

Manufacturer test sheets illustrate why this matters. One TPU product specification identifies a polyester webbing core, a TPU coating with 90A hardness, a stated tensile break strength of 1,000 lbf for the tested sample, and a high percentage of retained strength in a particular abrasion test. Those figures are laboratory results for a defined part number and test method; they are not a load rating for a finished driving harness. The manufacturer expressly cautions that laboratory results do not necessarily predict end-product performance and that full-scale testing remains the responsibility of the user.

In practical terms, the core, coating and finished construction work together. A broad strap with a strong core may still be unsafe if it has poor stitching, badly placed holes, weak rivets, damaged edge binding or unsuitable buckles. Conversely, an apparently heavy strap is not automatically appropriate for a particular horse or vehicle if it is too stiff, too narrow for the load, incorrectly routed or unable to articulate without pressure points.

Why it is used in driving harness

Resistance to water and soiling

The principal attraction is reduced sensitivity to wetting and routine soiling. Unlike untreated leather, coated webbing does not absorb water into the same fibrous structure in the same way. Mud and manure can generally be removed with wiping or washing, making it useful for everyday driving, wet climates, communal yards and harness that must be put away quickly after use.

This does not mean that a synthetic harness is maintenance-free. Dirt can collect around stitching, buckle bars, keepers and rivet heads. Moisture can enter through holes, seams and joins, particularly where the webbing core has been pierced or where the coating is cut. Hardware can corrode, stitching can abrade and the textile core can be damaged even when the outer surface still looks serviceable.

Consistent appearance

Coated webbing is available in many colours and surface finishes, including matte, semi-matte, glossy and textured options. This permits highly visible harness, colour coding for multiple horses, or a deliberately traditional black appearance without the variability associated with hides. The finish can also make cleaning and inspection easier because surface dirt and cracking are visually obvious.

Low routine conditioning requirement

Coated webbing generally does not require oiling or leather dressing. That can be an advantage for businesses and owners managing several harnesses. However, applying leather oils, silicone dressings or unapproved solvents may leave the surface slippery, soften or swell adjacent materials, or interfere with the coating. The manufacturer’s cleaning advice should take priority over generic tack-care habits.

Resistance to abrasion and biological deterioration

Many coated webbings are selected for their abrasion resistance and resistance to mould or fungal growth. BioThane product data includes abrasion and fungal-resistance test results for defined samples. Such results support the material’s general durability claims, but they do not eliminate the need for inspection. Abrasion at a buckle, pulley, shaft loop or trace attachment is a localised mechanical problem and may be more severe than a standard laboratory test represents.

Limitations and trade-offs

Not all coated webbing is equally flexible

Flexibility varies materially between coating families, thicknesses, widths and temperatures. A stiff strap may be useful where shape retention is desirable, but can be uncomfortable if it lies across a moving or pressure-sensitive area. It may also resist the smooth bending required around a buckle or cause a strap to stand away from the horse rather than conform to the body.

Very flexible material is not automatically preferable. Components that must maintain a stable position, resist rolling or transmit force without excessive deformation may require a stiffer construction or reinforcement. A well-designed harness uses flexibility selectively rather than treating it as an absolute virtue.

Heat, cold and surface behaviour

Polymer coatings have temperature-dependent properties. Some become firmer in cold conditions and softer in heat. A material that feels supple in a warm workshop may behave differently in winter, while a dark harness left in strong sun can become hot and less dimensionally stable. The published softening or transition data for a material should not be confused with a recommended working temperature for an assembled harness.

Surface friction also varies. Glossy coatings may slide more readily through some buckles or against other straps than a textured finish. This is one reason why strap security depends on correct buckle design, keeper placement, adjustment and load direction rather than on the material alone.

Damage can be hidden at the edges and joins

Coating damage is not always cosmetic. A cut through the coating may expose the core to moisture and abrasion. Repeated folding in one location can fatigue the coating or the webbing. Holes may elongate, especially if punched too close to an edge or used with a load for which the component was not designed. Riveted joints can loosen, and stitching can wear underneath a keeper or against a metal fitting.

Unlike leather, which may show distinctive fibre tearing or dryness, coated webbing can retain an apparently clean surface while the internal textile structure has been cut or abraded. Inspection must therefore include the reverse side, edges, holes, stitching and attachment points.

BioThane compared with leather

Characteristic	Coated webbing	Leather
Water handling	Usually less absorbent and easier to wipe clean	Can absorb water and requires appropriate drying and conditioning
Maintenance	Usually cleaning rather than oiling or conditioning	Requires cleaning, drying and conditioning suited to the leather
Feel	Ranges from soft and flexible to firm and highly structured	Varies with hide, tannage, thickness and finishing
Repairability	Can be repaired, but damaged coating, webbing and riveted or stitched joins may require specialist work	Often readily repaired or altered by a harness maker, depending on damage
Ageing	May retain appearance while hidden core, stitching or hardware deteriorates	May become dry, cracked, stretched or weak in visible ways, but hidden damage is still possible
Environmental profile	Petrochemical polymer and textile construction; end-of-life recycling may be limited	Animal-derived material with its own tanning, sourcing and disposal considerations

Neither material is universally superior. Leather has long-established working characteristics, can mould to the horse and is familiar to harness makers. Coated webbing offers convenience, cleanability and resistance to wet conditions. The quality of the design, workmanship, fit and inspection regime normally matters more than the material label alone.

Harness function comes before material choice

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs code of practice for horse-drawn vehicles states that harness should be properly fitted, appropriate for the particular use and regularly checked for soundness and safety. That principle applies equally to leather, BioThane and hybrid harness.

A harness must transfer the horse’s pulling force to the vehicle while permitting appropriate movement and avoiding undue pressure, chafing or restriction. A peer-reviewed review of welfare considerations in animals attached to vehicles describes the ideal harness and attachment system as one that allows the animal to apply force effectively over time without undue stress or damage to skin or muscle caused by poor fit or maintenance.

For a single horse, the choice between breastcollar and full collar is a design and fitting issue, not simply a material preference. A breastcollar must sit at an appropriate height and angle, with sufficient clearance for the windpipe and freedom for the shoulders. A full collar requires correct shape and fit around the neck and shoulder region. Neither style becomes safe merely because it is made from synthetic materials.

The same applies to breeching. Breeching helps a horse restrain or slow a vehicle where the harness and vehicle design require it. Its position, width, padding, attachment and relationship to the shafts or vehicle determine whether it functions correctly. Omitting or adding breeching should be based on vehicle design, braking, terrain, load and accepted driving practice rather than on the convenience of a particular material.

Fitting considerations for BioThane harness

Breastcollar or collar

Check the load-bearing component first. The breastcollar should remain stable during movement without riding up into the windpipe or pressing into the shoulder points. The traces should leave the breastcollar or collar cleanly and remain aligned with the vehicle. Coated webbing that is too stiff may bridge across the chest or create a narrow pressure line; material that is too soft may fold or roll.

Girth, saddle and backband

The saddle should distribute the relevant strap forces without becoming a concentrated pressure point. The girth must be secure but not excessively tight. Backbands, tugs and shaft attachments should be adjusted so that the shafts remain controlled without pulling the saddle forward or allowing it to shift laterally.

Because coated webbing does not absorb sweat like leather, it can feel dry while salt, grit and heat remain against the skin. The horse’s skin should be checked after work, particularly beneath the girth, breastcollar, saddle, breeching and any narrow strap. Repeated rub marks are evidence that the design, fit, cleanliness or adjustment needs review.

Breeching and crupper

Breeching should sit over the appropriate muscular area and contact the horse evenly when engaged. It should not hang so low that it catches, nor sit so high that it presses into the tail head or interferes with movement. The crupper should be correctly fitted and introduced carefully; it is not a substitute for a stable saddle or a reason to over-tighten the girth.

Bridle, reins and checks

Biothane bridles and reins can be easy to clean and highly visible, but the same attention is required for browbands, cheekpieces, throatlatches, bits, reins and any check or bearing rein. The horse must be able to breathe, see and respond appropriately. A check system should never be used to force a head position or compensate for poor training, unsuitable bitting or inadequate rein handling.

Construction and quality indicators

For trade buyers and manufacturers, the finished construction is more important than colour or brand recognition. Useful quality indicators include:

• Clear identification of the webbing width, thickness, coating family and intended use.
• A textile core appropriate to the load and component.
• Clean, consistent edges without cuts, delamination or exposed core.
• Stitching patterns suited to the direction and magnitude of load, with protected thread where appropriate.
• Correctly selected stainless-steel, brass or plated hardware, free from sharp edges and distortion.
• Reinforcement at holes, loops, trace ends, tug points and other high-load locations.
• Secure keepers that retain excess strap without creating a snag hazard.
• Hardware sized to the strap and load rather than chosen only for appearance.
• Trace, tug and breeching assemblies that can be inspected without dismantling the entire harness.
• Documented inspection, cleaning and replacement procedures for commercial use.

Rivets can provide a neat and water-resistant-looking finish, but they are not inherently stronger than stitching. A riveted joint may be appropriate in one application and unsuitable in another. Rivet setting, washer use, edge distance, material thickness and the direction of load all matter. Stitching can be highly durable when correctly specified, but thread abrasion and missed or poorly locked stitches must be monitored.

Strength claims and why they need context

Manufacturers may publish tensile break strength, abrasion resistance, flexibility or weathering results. These are useful for comparing defined materials, but they are not equivalent to a safe working load. Tensile break strength is the force at which a test specimen fails under a stated method; a harness component is a system containing holes, bends, hardware, seams, stitching and dynamic loads.

Dynamic loading is particularly relevant in driving. A trace or breeching strap may experience shock loads when a vehicle starts, stops, turns, rolls on uneven ground or encounters resistance. The load may be uneven between left and right sides. A laboratory strip pulled in a straight line does not reproduce every condition experienced by a finished harness.

Manufacturers’ disclaimers should therefore be taken seriously. A material data sheet can establish what was tested and how, but suitability for a particular horse-and-vehicle combination remains a design and user responsibility. Businesses should retain supplier specifications, document their own quality checks and avoid presenting a material’s tensile figure as a harness safety certification.

Cleaning, storage and inspection

1. Remove surface dirt promptly. Brush or rinse away grit before it is worked into folds, stitching or hardware.
2. Use mild cleaning methods. A damp cloth or mild soap solution is generally preferable to aggressive solvents, abrasive pads or unapproved disinfectants.
3. Dry before storage. Even water-resistant materials should not be stored wet, especially when folded tightly or enclosed with dirty padding.
4. Inspect the reverse side. Look for exposed fibres, cuts, abrasion, elongation of holes, loose rivets and broken stitches.
5. Check every buckle and fitting. Confirm that bars, tongues, rings, snaps and swivels move correctly and are not bent, cracked or sharp.
6. Examine high-load areas before every use. Give particular attention to traces, breastcollar attachments, tugs, shaft loops, breeching straps and rein joins.
7. Separate questionable equipment. Do not continue using a component merely because its outer surface remains attractive.

Commercial operators should establish written inspection intervals and replacement criteria. A harness used daily, on the road, for passenger work or with heavier vehicles deserves a more conservative inspection regime than equipment used occasionally for light ground driving.

Common misconceptions

“BioThane cannot break.”

It can fail through cutting, abrasion, fatigue, damaged stitching, failed hardware, elongated holes, poor attachment design or overload. Water resistance is not immunity from mechanical failure.

“The strongest material is always the safest.”

Strength must be matched with fit, flexibility, load path and the horse’s comfort. An unnecessarily stiff or narrow component may create pressure or movement problems even if its tensile strength is high.

“Synthetic harness needs no inspection.”

Its easy-clean surface may reduce routine maintenance, but inspection remains essential. Hidden core damage and hardware deterioration can be missed if the owner only wipes the outer face.

“Any coloured coated webbing is BioThane.”

BioThane is a brand name. Similar coated webbings may be suitable, but their construction and performance should be verified rather than assumed.

“A harness is safe if it fits when standing.”

Fit must be assessed in motion and, where appropriate, while attached to the intended vehicle. Straps can shift, folds can form and clearances can change when the horse walks, turns, stops and backs.

Choosing BioThane for different driving uses

For pleasure driving and routine training, the priorities are usually stable fit, cleanability, comfortable contact surfaces, reliable hardware and ease of adjustment. A softer or more conformable material may be preferable in areas that move repeatedly, while firmer webbing may suit structured straps and keepers.

For road work, visibility, inspection and redundancy deserve extra attention. Bright colours or reflective additions may help other road users see the horse and vehicle, but they do not replace lights, hi-vis clothing, appropriate road behaviour or competent driving. The BHS recommends hi-vis equipment for equestrians and highlights the Highway Code guidance that vehicles should pass horses at no more than 10 mph and allow at least two metres where possible.

For competition, the relevant discipline’s rules may specify permitted equipment, colours, dimensions or safety arrangements. A manufacturer or owner should check the current rules of the governing body and event organiser rather than assume that a commercially available BioThane harness is automatically compliant.

For passenger or commercial work, selection should be especially conservative. The GOV.UK code of practice for horse-drawn vehicles emphasises appropriate harness selection, correct fitting, regular soundness checks and safe preparation of the horse and vehicle. A professional harness maker or experienced driving instructor should be involved when the load, vehicle, horse or operating environment is outside the owner’s established experience.

Bottom line

BioThane is best understood as a family of coated webbing constructions, not as a complete safety system. Its strengths are cleanability, reduced water absorption, broad finish options and useful resistance to everyday abrasion and soiling. Its limitations include variable flexibility, temperature-dependent behaviour, possible hidden damage and the fact that material data does not establish a safe working load for a finished harness.

A good BioThane driving harness is the result of correct component design, suitable webbing and hardware, competent stitching or riveting, careful fitting and regular inspection. The choice between BioThane, leather and hybrid construction should be made according to the horse, vehicle, work, climate, maintenance capacity and the skills available for fitting and repair. In every case, correct fit and sound construction remain more important than the material’s appearance or marketing name.

Sources and further reading

• BioThane Coated Webbing Corporation: BioThane FAQs — terminology and brand information.
• BioThane Coated Webbing Corporation: Product Properties Sheet — example coating, webbing, tensile, abrasion and weathering data, including limitations on interpreting laboratory results.
• BioThane product data brochure — comparison of coating families, polymers, webbing types, flexibility and abrasion categories.
• GOV.UK: Code of practice for horse-drawn vehicles — harness selection, fitting, inspection and road-driving preparation.
• Welfare considerations when attaching animals to vehicles — peer-reviewed discussion of harness function, load transfer and risks from poor fit or maintenance.
• The British Horse Society: Equestrians on the road — current GB road-safety guidance and visibility advice.
• Abbey England: BioThane guide — UK trade information on coated webbing, construction and practical use.
• BioThane: TPU coated webbing information sheet — example material and handling information for a defined TPU product.

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