BREAKING TO HARNESS. 153 



withers, where a buckle secures it after it has been slipped up 

 under the neck. But collars made in this way are not so firm as 

 when constructed in the ordinary mode, and are more liable to 

 punish the shoulders, so that what is gained in one way is lost in 

 the other. A quiet and handy man can always slip a collar over 

 a horse's head if he will take time, and especially if he has pre- 

 viously handled the animal and made him accustomed to his pre- 

 sence. As soon as this part of the harness is in its place the pad 

 and crupper must be gently put on the back, and then quietly 

 raising the tail with every hair gathered and firmly grasped in the 

 left hand the right slips the crupper under it, and as soon as this 

 is done the left drops the tail and assists the right to buckle the 

 two parts together. In the previous breaking the colt has been 

 accustomed to the crupper, so that there is no occasion for extra 

 care in this part now. The pad is then drawn forward to its place, 

 the bellyband buckled, and the rest of the harness being put on in 

 the ordinary way, the colt is allowed to feel it for a few minutes, 

 and should then be led out in a yard or other convenient place for 

 an hour. The general practice is after this to put him to at once, 

 but it is far better if the colt is at all shy to take off the harness 

 and postpone the commencement of actual breaking till the 

 next day. 



THE ACTUAL PUTTING TO is managed differently in double and 

 single harness, but as I have endeavored to show that the former 

 should always precede the latter, I shall commence by describing 

 it. In breaking to double harness a steady old horse should be 

 provided, usually called a break-horse. All that is wanted is an 

 animal of good courage and free from vice, who will draw steadily 

 off on the slightest notice, and will stop firmly when required. 

 Some old horses which have had a great deal of practice in the 

 break will assist their masters in a wonderful manner. If a colt 

 kicks over the pole they will press against the intruding leg and 

 cause him so much pain that he remains quiet till he is relieved. 

 Indeed, it matters not what the attempt is, they defeat it by some 

 counter manosuvre, but these horses are rare and fortunately are 

 by no means essential to success. Before attaching the colt the 

 break-horse should be put to, and it is usual to place him on the 

 near side. Then, having the break conveniently situated for start- 

 ing, the colt is brought out with a halter on and the cord knotted 

 to his tracebearer, so as to give a good hold in case he plunges or 

 kicks. The pole-piece is then loosely buckled up, after which the 

 inside trace is slipped over the roller bolt, and then the breaksman 

 pushing the quarters forcibly inwards the outside trace is carefully 

 adjusted and the pole-piece buckled up to its proper length. 

 Quickly but quietly and without fuss the reins are crossed and 

 buckled, and the ends being taken by the breaker he mounts to 



