diff --git a/data/json/items/vehicle/controls.json b/data/json/items/vehicle/controls.json
index 63ec8a5773d16..59a7001d1688b 100644
--- a/data/json/items/vehicle/controls.json
+++ b/data/json/items/vehicle/controls.json
@@ -15,6 +15,22 @@
     "category": "veh_parts",
     "price": 40000
   },
+  {
+    "id": "reins_tackle",
+    "type": "GENERIC",
+    "name": { "str": "rein and tackle", "str_pl": "reins and tackles" },
+    "category": "veh_parts",
+    "description": "A set of leather bindings to control a mountable creature.",
+    "weight": "500 g",
+    "volume": "1200 ml",
+    "price": 30000,
+    "bashing": 1,
+    "to_hit": -2,
+    "material": [ "leather" ],
+    "symbol": "W",
+    "color": "light_gray",
+    "looks_like": "rope_6"
+  },
   {
     "type": "GENERIC",
     "id": "vehicle_dashboard",
diff --git a/data/json/recipes/recipe_vehicle.json b/data/json/recipes/recipe_vehicle.json
index 058c3269f3e27..f2f5fccef33cc 100644
--- a/data/json/recipes/recipe_vehicle.json
+++ b/data/json/recipes/recipe_vehicle.json
@@ -39,6 +39,20 @@
     "qualities": [ { "id": "HAMMER", "level": 2 } ],
     "components": [ [ [ "sheet_metal", 3 ] ] ]
   },
+  {
+    "result": "reins_tackle",
+    "type": "recipe",
+    "category": "CC_OTHER",
+    "subcategory": "CSC_OTHER_VEHICLE",
+    "skill_used": "tailor",
+    "difficulty": 3,
+    "time": "120 m",
+    "using": [ [ "sewing_standard", 100 ] ],
+    "components": [
+      [ [ "leather", 12 ], [ "tanned_hide", 2 ], [ "fur", 12 ], [ "tanned_pelt", 2 ] ],
+      [ [ "cordage_superior", 2, "LIST" ] ]
+    ]
+  },
   {
     "result": "yoke_harness",
     "type": "recipe",
diff --git a/data/json/vehicleparts/vehicle_parts.json b/data/json/vehicleparts/vehicle_parts.json
index 68237b33ff771..1ff22f871634e 100644
--- a/data/json/vehicleparts/vehicle_parts.json
+++ b/data/json/vehicleparts/vehicle_parts.json
@@ -1627,6 +1627,28 @@
     "breaks_into": [ { "item": "splinter", "count": [ 2, 4 ] } ],
     "damage_reduction": { "all": 5 }
   },
+  {
+    "type": "vehicle_part",
+    "id": "reins_tackle",
+    "name": "reins and tackle",
+    "symbol": "W",
+    "color": "light_gray",
+    "broken_symbol": "X",
+    "broken_color": "red",
+    "durability": 80,
+    "description": "A set of leather bindings to control a creature pulling a vehicle, such as a cart.",
+    "bonus": 10,
+    "damage_modifier": 5,
+    "item": "reins_tackle",
+    "folded_volume": 1,
+    "requirements": {
+      "install": { "skills": [ [ "mechanics", 1 ] ], "time": "6 m", "using": [ [ "vehicle_nail_install", 1 ] ] },
+      "removal": { "skills": [ [ "mechanics", 1 ] ], "time": "3 m", "using": [ [ "vehicle_nail_removal", 1 ] ] },
+      "repair": { "skills": [ [ "mechanics", 1 ] ], "time": "6 m", "using": [ [ "adhesive", 2 ] ] }
+    },
+    "flags": [ "CONTROL_ANIMAL", "FOLDABLE" ],
+    "breaks_into": [ { "item": "leather", "count": [ 1, 2 ] } ]
+  },
   {
     "type": "vehicle_part",
     "id": "controls",
diff --git a/doc/JSON_FLAGS.md b/doc/JSON_FLAGS.md
index e6455a41978b6..e7291158b9925 100644
--- a/doc/JSON_FLAGS.md
+++ b/doc/JSON_FLAGS.md
@@ -1330,6 +1330,7 @@ Those flags are added by the game code to specific items (that specific welder,
 - ```CIRCLE_LIGHT``` Projects a circular radius of light when turned on.
 - ```CONE_LIGHT``` Projects a cone of light when turned on.
 - ```CONTROLS``` Can be used to control the vehicle.
+- ```CONTROL_ANIMAL``` These controls can only be used to control a vehicle pulled by an animal (such as reins etc).
 - ```COOLER``` There is separate command to toggle this part.
 - ```COVERED``` Prevents items in cargo parts from emitting any light.
 - ```CRAFTRIG``` Acts as a dehydrator, vacuum sealer and reloading press for crafting purposes. Potentially to include additional tools in the future.
diff --git a/src/game.cpp b/src/game.cpp
index 0a2b1a471cdc0..e7982fcf01a5c 100644
--- a/src/game.cpp
+++ b/src/game.cpp
@@ -5103,6 +5103,7 @@ void game::moving_vehicle_dismount( const tripoint &dest_loc )
 
 void game::control_vehicle()
 {
+    static const itype_id fuel_type_animal( "animal" );
     int veh_part = -1;
     vehicle *veh = remoteveh();
     if( veh == nullptr ) {
@@ -5111,9 +5112,16 @@ void game::control_vehicle()
             veh_part = vp->part_index();
         }
     }
-    if( veh != nullptr && veh->player_in_control( u ) ) {
+    if( veh != nullptr && veh->player_in_control( u ) &&
+        veh->avail_part_with_feature( veh_part, "CONTROLS", true ) >= 0 ) {
         veh->use_controls( u.pos() );
-    } else if( veh && veh->avail_part_with_feature( veh_part, "CONTROLS", true ) >= 0 &&
+    } else if( veh && veh->player_in_control( u ) &&
+               veh->avail_part_with_feature( veh_part, "CONTROL_ANIMAL", true ) >= 0 ) {
+        u.controlling_vehicle = false;
+        add_msg( m_info, _( "You let go of the reins." ) );
+    } else if( veh && ( veh->avail_part_with_feature( veh_part, "CONTROLS", true ) >= 0 ||
+                        ( veh->avail_part_with_feature( veh_part, "CONTROL_ANIMAL", true ) >= 0 &&
+                          veh->has_engine_type( fuel_type_animal, false ) && veh->has_harnessed_animal() ) ) &&
                u.in_vehicle ) {
         if( !veh->interact_vehicle_locked() ) {
             veh->handle_potential_theft( dynamic_cast<player &>( u ) );
@@ -9383,7 +9391,8 @@ point game::place_player( const tripoint &dest_loc )
         }
     }
 
-    if( vp1.part_with_feature( "CONTROLS", true ) && u.in_vehicle && !u.is_mounted() ) {
+    if( ( vp1.part_with_feature( "CONTROL_ANIMAL", true ) ||
+          vp1.part_with_feature( "CONTROLS", true ) ) && u.in_vehicle && !u.is_mounted() ) {
         add_msg( _( "There are vehicle controls here." ) );
         if( !u.has_trait( trait_id( "WAYFARER" ) ) ) {
             add_msg( m_info, _( "%s to drive." ), press_x( ACTION_CONTROL_VEHICLE ) );
diff --git a/src/handle_action.cpp b/src/handle_action.cpp
index 050ac4bfb4929..fe8677a52799e 100644
--- a/src/handle_action.cpp
+++ b/src/handle_action.cpp
@@ -418,11 +418,19 @@ static void pldrive( int x, int y )
         return;
     }
     if( !remote ) {
-        int pctr = veh->part_with_feature( part, "CONTROLS", true );
-        if( pctr < 0 ) {
+        static const itype_id fuel_type_animal( "animal" );
+        const bool has_animal_controls = veh->part_with_feature( part, "CONTROL_ANIMAL", true ) >= 0;
+        const bool has_controls = veh->part_with_feature( part, "CONTROLS", true ) >= 0;
+        const bool has_animal = veh->has_engine_type( fuel_type_animal, false ) &&
+                                veh->has_harnessed_animal();
+        if( !has_controls && !has_animal_controls ) {
             add_msg( m_info, _( "You can't drive the vehicle from here.  You need controls!" ) );
             u.controlling_vehicle = false;
             return;
+        } else if( !has_controls && has_animal_controls && !has_animal ) {
+            add_msg( m_info, _( "You can't drive this vehicle without an animal to pull it." ) );
+            u.controlling_vehicle = false;
+            return;
         }
     } else {
         if( empty( veh->get_avail_parts( "REMOTE_CONTROLS" ) ) ) {
diff --git a/src/vehicle.cpp b/src/vehicle.cpp
index 9b78f98a7e402..b8f11daeafa7c 100644
--- a/src/vehicle.cpp
+++ b/src/vehicle.cpp
@@ -244,7 +244,10 @@ bool vehicle::player_in_control( const player &p ) const
 
     const optional_vpart_position vp = g->m.veh_at( p.pos() );
     if( vp && &vp->vehicle() == this &&
-        part_with_feature( vp->part_index(), VPFLAG_CONTROLS, false ) >= 0 && p.controlling_vehicle ) {
+        ( ( part_with_feature( vp->part_index(), "CONTROL_ANIMAL", true ) >= 0 &&
+            has_engine_type( fuel_type_animal, false ) && has_harnessed_animal() ) ||
+          ( part_with_feature( vp->part_index(), VPFLAG_CONTROLS, false ) >= 0 ) ) &&
+        p.controlling_vehicle ) {
         return true;
     }
 
diff --git a/src/vehicle.h b/src/vehicle.h
index 14a4f377cce2d..660c0414d6156 100644
--- a/src/vehicle.h
+++ b/src/vehicle.h
@@ -1534,6 +1534,7 @@ class vehicle
         //true if an engine exists with specified type
         //If enabled true, this engine must be enabled to return true
         bool has_engine_type( const itype_id &ft, bool enabled ) const;
+        bool has_harnessed_animal() const;
         //true if an engine exists without the specified type
         //If enabled true, this engine must be enabled to return true
         bool has_engine_type_not( const itype_id &ft, bool enabled ) const;
diff --git a/src/vehicle_move.cpp b/src/vehicle_move.cpp
index 5b2e91937b23e..5f22d25f51891 100644
--- a/src/vehicle_move.cpp
+++ b/src/vehicle_move.cpp
@@ -854,6 +854,20 @@ void vehicle::handle_trap( const tripoint &p, int part )
     }
 }
 
+bool vehicle::has_harnessed_animal() const
+{
+    for( size_t e = 0; e < parts.size(); e++ ) {
+        const vehicle_part &vp = parts[ e ];
+        if( vp.info().fuel_type == fuel_type_animal ) {
+            monster *mon = get_pet( e );
+            if( mon && mon->has_effect( effect_harnessed ) && mon->has_effect( effect_pet ) ) {
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
 void vehicle::autodrive( int x, int y )
 {
     // for now, autodriving is only possible when pulled by an animal