COLLARS AND HARNESS. J5 



free from the shoulder-blade, and where it can- 

 not injure the horse — this, indeed, is now gene- 

 rally understood. A short collar chokes — 

 a wide one rocks to and fro — a small one 

 pinches — and a large one cuts the chest and 

 shoulders. Harness, on which all the power 

 and draught of the horse, and also the weight 

 of the carriage and lives of the passengers de- 

 pend, are too lightly considered, and too much 

 neglected in the fastenings by chains or straps 

 at the bottom and top ; if either should fail, 

 the harness opens, and the ponderous weight 

 and power of the horse forces him through, 

 when the result may be dreadful. Therefore the 

 fastenings of the harness should be frequently 

 examined, notwithstanding they are handled 

 and cleaned every morning by the servant. 

 The chain at bottom wears, and the strap at 

 the top also wears, and is sometimes carelessly 

 buckled — tongue not through, and the end of 

 the strap not secured. The buckle should be 

 strong, and the tongue long, for on that tongue 

 holding the strap, all depends. 



Traces should be long enough in proportion 

 to the horses, to allow them rather more than a 



