54 ' HAY SEED. OR HOW TO 



CHAPTER XVIII, 



HARNESSING AND DRIVING HORSES, 



In "hitching a horse," as it is termed among horsemen, 

 many men are deficient, otherwise good horsemen. A 

 horse with a harness on that does not fit him, is in about 

 the same frame of mind as his driver would be with a 

 shirt on that is an uncomfortable fit. See that your head- 

 stall fits his head, and that the hair in his mane and fore- 

 top is not doubled up under the crown piece of the head- 

 stall, the saddle should be set at the right point, back of 

 withers, and the back strap should be the right length to 

 keep the check-rein from pulling the saddle forward onto 

 the withers. The girths should be buckled snugly and 

 the breeching should be loose enough to give the quarters 

 plenty of room, and tight enough not to allow the wagon 

 to run on to the horse, should you be obliged to take a 

 pull on him. Make a point to see that everything about 

 the harness and vehicle is strong, and properly hitched; at- 

 tention to this particular often saves many an accident, 

 and in some cases, loss of life and property. Martingales 

 should be long enough, ordinarily, to allow the reins to 

 draw straight from the bit to turrets, and in many cases 

 can be dispensed with entirely. The use of head- 

 stalls with winkers, can also, in many cases be dispensed 

 with. 



In trotting and pacing horses for racing purposes, I 

 think an open bridle is preferable. Bat in road horses 

 that are inclined to be slack drivers I think winkers are 

 an advantage, as without them a lazy horse is watching 

 you and will slacken his gait if he can see you are not 

 prepared to give him a cut with the whip. 



