Harness and Harnessing. ' 733 



top and bottom to suit the shape of the horse's neck. Be sure at all 

 times that the lower hame strap is buckled as tightly as the thickness 

 of the neck will permit. Occasionally the careless driver fails to buckle 

 the hames tightly and when the horse is backed the hames slip off the 

 collar. This may not be noticed at the time and the animal be com- 

 pelled to pull the load with the hames resting on the shoulders. 



Adjusting Uie hame-tug. — The adjustment of the hame-tug is also an 

 important matter and should receive the closest attention. If the draft 

 is too low, the action of the shoulder while walking gives too much back- 

 aud-forward motion to the collar, which is noticeable at the hame tops. 

 This is likely to cause sore shoulders either at the points or at the top. 

 If the draft is too high, the likelihood of injury will be equally great. 

 There is a proper place for the draft, varying with the conformation 

 of the horse. When the hame-tugs are at the proper place there will 

 be very little motion at the top of the hames as the horse walks. Again, 

 the tugs should be so adjusted that they are both of the same length. 

 Often careless drivers hitch one tug longer than the other, which is 

 very hard on the horse and a source of much extra exertion as well 

 as sore shoulders. 



Sweat pads. — There is a great diversity of opinion concerning the use 

 of sweat pads, neck pads and the like. With rare exceptions there should 

 be no occasion for their use if the collar and harness are properly adjusted. 

 The shoulder and neck can be kept in a more healthy condition with- 

 out them. 



Breast harness. — For light driving breast harness is admissible and 

 is to be preferred for such light rigs as runabouts and buggies. In the 

 adjustment of breast harness care should be taken that the neck strap 

 is not so long as to let the breast harness drop and interfere with the 

 action of the fore limbs. On the other hand, the neck strap should not 

 be so short as to draw the breast harness up and choke the animal. 

 The breast harness is intended for light work only, and if the load is 

 heavy the horse may choke. This is particularly true in ascending a 

 steep grade. Much care should be exercised in its use. 



Fitting tlie saddle and breeching 



The saddle and breeching should be adjusted so that they fit snugly — 

 neither too tight nor too loose. They should be kept clean and smooth. 

 If the saddle is not smooth and perfectly adj-usted it is likely to make 

 the back of the horse sore, thereby causing the animal much pain and 

 lessening his reliability. When properly adjusted there is little or na 



