Bogtre (horse harness hames)

Bogtre are wooden hames forming a central part of a horse's harness. Two shaped wooden pieces are secured around the neck with straps and connected to the rest of the draught equipment by heavy leather straps. They differ from the høvre positioned behind the withers.

Working and ceremonial harness

Hames could be padded and decorated with carving and paint. Decoration was especially significant on ceremonial harness, including that used for church journeys. A bogtre was also selected as the emblem of Engerdal's municipal coat of arms, adopted in 1990. This documented modern symbolic use does not date older harness.

Assessing a detached piece

Check whether it is one of a matching pair and describe surviving straps, padding and fittings. Photograph both sides, decoration and inscriptions. State the evidence for any regional or maker attribution. Distinguish original paint from possible overpainting and record later repairs. One decorated component should not be described as a complete harness.

Sources: Audun Dybdahl, Store norske leksikon, Bogtre; Audun Dybdahl, Store norske leksikon, Høvre; Engerdal kommune, Fakta om kommunevåpenet.