112 THE HORSE 



some unusual exertion, such, for example, as pulling 

 a load up a steep hill or pulling a sleigh over a piece 

 of bare ground. 



For a seasoned draft horse the best kind of collar 

 is a leather one. That is clean and cool, and, properly 

 fitted, will serve better than any other kind. But if the 

 horse is green or fat, and consequently is likely to 

 shrink when put to work, the best collar to use is the 

 Irish collar, so-called. The Irish collar, like the 

 leather collar, is stuffed, but the covering, instead of 

 being leather, is of cloth so that it is easy by making 

 a hole in the cloth to remove the stuffing, or to put in 

 additional stuffing, or to make a little depression at the 

 particular point where a horse has become sore, so that 

 the collar will not bear upon the sore spot. 



Collars made of wood were in use many years ago, 

 and, it is said, worked very well if properly fitted. 

 Collars of zinc or other metal can now be obtained, but 

 I have had no experience with them. 



Too much care cannot be taken to keep the inside of 

 the collar free from dirt and sweat. If the collar fits 

 well and is kept clean, and the horse's shoulders are 

 sponged oH as soon as his work is finished, he will not 

 have a sore shoulder, except perhaps in the case of an 

 animal whose skin is abnormally thin, or whose blood 

 is in bad condition. A careful driver will now and 

 then lift the collar of the work-horse on a hot day, so 

 as to cool his shoulders, and will rub off the sweat and 

 dirt with his hand. The shoulders of a young or green 

 horse can be hardened considerably by washing them 

 with salt and water. 



