Harnkss and Harnessing. 737 



difficulties are noted. When one visits the harness store or examines 

 the harness sale catalogues, he is rather bewildered by the great variety 

 of styles, — black leather, polished leather, russet leather and woven 

 web cut into all imaginable shapes and styles. No suggestions can be 

 made with respect to styles; this must be left to the individual. There 

 is much money wasted on cheap, shining harness. The purchaser should 

 first consider the kind of service to which the harness is to be put — 

 is it intended for light driving, heavy driving, light work, heavy work, 

 or for fancy and fashionable turnout ? If for the latter, the more fixtures 

 and brads and the like it contains the better it may suit. But such 

 harness as this is beyond the scope of this leaflet. 



In choosing useful harness, the fewer trimmings the better. While 

 brass trimmings, white rings, and extra fixtures may add much to the 

 appearance and serve as an advertisement if they are kept clean and 

 shining, they do not add to the usefulness of the harness, and extra 

 fixtures hanging here and there annoy the horses and in warm weather 

 often prove quite uncomfortable. Then, again, these brass trimmings 

 require much work to keep them presentable. This extra time might 

 better be utilized in grooming the horses. Nothing is so inappropriate 

 as well-polished harness on poorly groomed horses. In choosing work 

 harness discard the extra fixtures, trimmings and the like. They are 

 costly, are much trouble to keep in good condition, and are a hindrance 

 to the horse's usefulness. 



There is an arrangement in connection with the use of heavy harness 

 that would result in great saving and in much comfort to the horse 

 if it could be attained. It is to secure light parts where light parts 

 will serve, as in the bridle, reins, lines, back straps and the like; and 

 to use heavy harness only where needed, as in the tugs, hold-backs, 

 breeching and breast straps. There is no need of having heavy, wide- 

 feathered bridle, heavy reins, lines, back-bands, even on the heavy 

 harness, as they play no part in bearing the load and are often a hin- 

 drance to both horse and driver; and in addition they are rather expen- 

 sive. Lighter harness where it bears no part of the load will serve every 

 purpose. 



Caring for harness 



The proper care of the harness should receive much consideration 

 as care will increase the length of its usefulness and lessen the liability 

 of its injuring the animal. It is very important that the bearing parts 

 be kept scrupulously clean at all times. This applies particularly to 

 the parts in constant contact with the animal, as the collar, saddle 

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