THE HANDY MAX ON THE FARM. 835 



be frightened by anything coming from behind. Horses, especially those 

 um'<1 in crowded thoroughfares,, arc certainly less likely to bolt when worked 

 in bridles. A full vision of everything before and behind is obtained, and 

 the horse is not so easily frightened by anything rushing by suddenly. All 

 drivers know that a horse is less frightened by an object coming towards him, 

 than 1 iv one appearing unexpectedly. A further advantage is that if the 

 head-gear happens to be rubbed off, the horse accustomed to the restricted 

 vision afforded by winkers, becomes frightened and probably holts, while bhs 

 one used to a bridle is unperturbed. One of the main obstacles to the use of 

 ■open bridles is the patience which is required in accustoming young horse, 

 to them. The winkers have a subduing effect immediately they are put one 

 which the bridle does not possess. 



With good going horses, it matters little whether bridles or winkers are 

 adopted ; but where teams are used, and the driver has not the horse directly 

 under his eye, winkers are necessary to prevent the horse seeing behind him. 

 A lazy horse which can see behind is constantly watching his driver, rather 

 than sticking closely to business and minding where he is going. He works 

 well when his driver is watching ; but acquires the habit of loafing when he 

 is not. When the winkers are used, a steady pace is usually maintained. 



The heat and irritation caused by close-fitting eye-pieces can he prevented 

 by using winkers with the eye-pieces thrown well outwards at the front. 



The collar must fit perfectly ; otherwise it causes discomfort, and frequently 

 •creates the habit of jibbing. Few horses are naturally vicious or obstinate, 

 and in most cases the stupidity of drivers is the prime factor in the formation 

 in them of habits alien to their nature. Jibbing can frequently be cured by 

 the removal of the cause and by kindly treatment, especially if the handling 

 is done by some person who has not been responsible for the trouble. 



In light harness the hames buckle at the top and bottom, but it is more 

 •convenient to use the lower buckle. The best traces have buckles near the 

 hames, by which they can be lengthened to suit the horse. The point of 

 attachment to the hames should be just above the point of the shoulder, so 

 that the movable joint between the shoulder-blade and the humerus does not 

 receive the pressure of the draught. 



If the traces are too long, the vehicle is not drawn by them, but by the 

 backhand. On the other hand, if they are too short, the shafts push the 

 saddle-pad forward against the withers, and also draw the crupper up tightly 

 under the tail, causing chafing. 



Breast-plates are used to some extent instead of the collar, but whilst little 

 •exception can be taken to them for very light work, they cannot be recom- 

 mended where the draught is at all heavy. When they are used the traces 

 interfere with the free movement of the shoulder-joint, and cause discomfort 

 to the horse. With the ordinary collar, provided the hames are properly 

 adjusted, the force exerted by the horse is against the portion of the collar 

 lying against the immovable shoulder-blade, and consequently the free 

 movement of the joint is not interfered with. 



The shafts are supported by shaft-tugs attached to the saddle-pad. These 

 should be long enough to suspend the shafts level with the swell of the 

 •flaps. The pad is kept in position by a band running along the back and 

 terminating in a crupper, and by the belly-band. The crupper should lie fairly 

 thick to avoid chafing. The breeching is also attacked to this band. 



The correct position for the pad is just where the withers Swell upwards, 

 If kept further back it has a tendency to slip forward, drawing the crupper 

 (too tight. 



