Beauatiful, Antique Ox Yoke. It is an impressive piece of agricultural history, designed to be pulled by two oxen for breaking and turning soil on a farm. The ox yoke indicates its capacity for heavy work, requiring two animals to operate it efficiently. A yoke is a wooden beam used to connect a pair of oxen or other draft animals, allowing them to pull a load together. Yokes were commonly used by pioneers and farmers in the 19th century.The large, central wooden piece rests on the animals' necks, and the U-shaped pieces (called oxbows) fit around their necks and through the yoke.Oxen were often more economical than horses for heavy work because they were cheaper and could subsist on rougher grazing.The design ensures the animals can work properly without injury when fitted correctly. In good condition, and does need some TLC, signs of wear and cracks. This measurements: 63 inches long by 8.5 inches wide, the harness rounds both measure 28 inches from top to bottom.