SADDLES AND SORE BACKS. 205 



now be found too tight When hames are fixed, the rigidity of the collar is 

 considerably increased, and the points are brought much closer together ; 

 it is on this fact that, as we have said, saddlers often depend for keeping 

 the collar closed. But it will be found that the hames only close the 

 collar at the points and not behind ; this can only be effected by a 

 good-fitting housing strap ; the latter cannot be too tightly drawn. 

 Especially is this the case in pole draught as the chains straining on the 

 collar cause considerable strain on the housing strap, especially going 

 down-hill or in pulling-up on the level. For this reason the most 

 common injury in pole draught is to the neck in front of the withers, and 

 few horses escape the mane being worn away at this part, as the result 

 of the continuous friction of the collar. In consequence, we strongly 

 urge the necessity for all collars being so stuffed as to cause no pressure 

 on the neck. (See fig. 38.) 



Size of collars. — The following description of the collar is taken from Size of 

 the " Handbook for Military Artificers " :— collars. 



" There is but one pattern of collar for all services ; they vary in size 

 from 19 inches to 24 inches in length. The length is measured from 

 E to F, fig. 39. 



"The collars most commonly used are 21-inch, 21^-inch, 22-inch, 

 22|-inch, 23-inch, 23|-inch, and 24-inch. 



^^ Names of I he parts of a collar. — The technical names for the various Names of 

 parts of a collar are as follows — (see fig. 39). the parts 



A. Fore-wale. 



B. After-wale. 



C. Caps. 



D. Housing straps. 



of; 



E. Throat. collar. 



F. Neck. 



G. Body side. 



" The fore- wale is made of leather stuffed with straw and capped with 

 light hide. The after-wale is of stout hide, and it covers the body of the 

 collar." 



The bulk of a collar is a question of some importance ; it cannot well 

 be too big in the body ; this ensures the pull of the load being distributed 

 over a large surface. In this respect we may take some useful hints 

 from civil life, where the collars are bulky, and utility is not sacrificed to 

 appearance. 



