214 A STUDY OF FARM ANIMALS 



reins, it means go forward. If it is desired that the horse back, then he 

 is given the word "back," accompanied with a backvyard pull on the 

 reins. The word "steady" is commonly used to caution a horse as to 

 his movements, that he may not act too fast. With farm teams, the 

 command "gee" signifies a turn to the right, while "haw" means a turn 

 to the left. Ordinarily haw and gee are used in the field when the 

 reins cannot easily be used, as in plowing, cultivating, etc. Horses 

 should not be required to work until they have matured enough to bear 

 the service without injury. If compelled to do hard work before he is 

 four years old, his development may be much injured." 



The harness of the horse in its simplest form, consists 

 of three pieces, bridle, breast harness or collar, and saddle. 

 These and their use may be briefly described as follows: 



Figure 76. A pair of draft horses in harness. Photograph by Prof. W. J. Decker. 



The bridle consists of the bit, cheek straps, brow band, 

 throatlatch, and checkrein. There may or may not be 

 blinds. There are many kinds of bits, but under most con- 

 ditions on the farm a plain single bar bit is all that is needed. 

 Sometimes the bar is covered with leather or rubber as bet- 

 ter suited to the tender mouth. By adjusting the length of 

 the cheek pieces, the bit may be fitted to the mouth, so that 

 it will be neither too loose nor too tight, crossing the bars of 



