Rural School Leaflet 



1187 



control the load, to move it forward and backward. In order to control 

 the horse the driver must gain command of the head, and this is best 

 accomplished by the mouth, since it is well forward and tender. That 

 the mouth is tender and easily made sore by poorly fitting bridles must 

 not be forgotten, for many gentle horses are rendered unsafe by spoiling 

 the mouth with a ciiiel, ill-fitting bridle. Hence much care must be taken 

 in properly adjusting the bridle. 



In order to enable the horse to control the load, the driver must attach 

 the animal to the load in such a manner as to give the horse perfect con- 

 trol over himself. This is best accomplished by attaching the shoulders 

 of the horse to the load ; and in order to 

 do this, collars, hames, and traces have 

 been devised. Since the compression 

 between the collar and the shoulder is 

 great, much attention must be given 

 to these parts or the shoulders will 

 become sore. In order to enable the 

 horse to back the load, the breeching 

 and the holdback have been devised. 



In adjiisting the harness it must be 

 remembered that there are four places 

 on the horr,e likely to show abrasion 

 and to become sore. Poorly fitting 

 bridles and severe bits cause sore mouths; poorly fitting collars cause 

 sore shoulders; ])oorly fitting saddles, if there is much backing, cause sore 

 backs; and poorly fitting cruppers cause sore tails. Sores thus produced 

 give the horse much pain and arc likely to cause viciousness. A sore 

 mouth often provokes a horse to run away; sore shoulders and a sore 

 back often provoke balking; and a sore tail often provokes kicking. 



Choosing and fitting the bridle. — In choosing a bridle the bit is the first 

 part to be considered. Bits of many types have been devised to meet the 

 various and peculiar habits of the horse. For most horses a good-sized 

 bar bit cannot be improved on. Care should be taken to see that it is 

 the proper length to fit the animal's mouth. After the bit has been decided 

 on, the adjustment of the bridle must be considered. Sometimes the head- 

 stall is so short as to draw the bit upward into the angles of the mouth; 

 it thus annoys the horse and may produce a sore mouth. Again, often 

 the headstall is too long and allows the bit to drop ; in such a case the horse 

 becomes unmindful of the driver's wish. After the adjustment of the 

 bridle, comes the arrangement of the lolinds. These should be carefully 

 adjusted and securely held in place so that they v/ill not flap and thus 

 annoy the horse. 



Breast collar 



