HARNESS III 



was a mile In 2.14, and even then she was a rough- 

 gaited mare. She was sold, and the next year, in the 

 hands of a new driver and without a check, she became 

 a beautifully galted mare, and reduced her record to 

 2.08^. Some famous trotters have been driven with- 

 out any check, among them Lou Dillon, the fastest 

 mare of her day, and perhaps. Indeed, of any day; 

 Ralph Wilkes, the fastest trotter of the Wilkes family 

 In his day; Alcldalla, and the famous stallions Axtell 

 and Allerton. Willy, whose record Is 2.04^, and 

 who Is noted for his good manners and steadiness as 

 well as for his beauty, wears a side check which hangs 

 loose on his neck when he is at speed. 



The combination of a severe check rein and a 

 curb bit is something to make any true horseman 

 shudder. It should never be used except perhaps In 

 the case of some vicious or flighty animal, and yet It is 

 In common use with carriage horses of fashionable 

 people, the curb bit and the pulley or bridoon check 

 being the usual combination. 



THE COLLAR 



It is hardly necessary to say that the collar should fit 

 perfectly, being just long enough to permit a man's 

 hand to pass between the collar at the bottom and the 

 neck of the horse. If too loose, the collar is almost 

 sure to produce a sore neck or shoulder, and if too 

 tight it will hinder the breathing of the horse and per- 

 haps choke him. It is not very uncommon for horses 

 to drop as if they were shot simply from having too 

 tight a collar. This happens when the horse Is making 



