HARNESSING. 59 



properly adjusted, effectually prevent any carriage from 

 running on the quarters. Across the horses' hips and 

 through these straps, confined by square metal D's, 

 passes the kicking-strap, which is attached to the tugs 

 on the shafts by buckles. This caparison, instead of 

 being unsightly, is positively more elegant than the 

 ordinary-shaped britching, and provides a kicking-strap 

 at all times with the britching. 



The kicking-strap for double harness must always be 

 inelegant, nor can it be made as effectual as that for 

 single harness ; for which reason, if for no other, a kick- 

 ing horse should never be used in double harness under 

 a gentleman's carriage. 



Britching is not generally used for double harness ; 

 but where appearances are not regarded, it finds place 

 amongst various other contrivances available to make 

 kickers, jibbers, bolters, plungers, and runaways, work 

 as placidly as if "they couldn't help it."* 



The Terret-Pad must be left to the taste of the 

 owner and saddler, with an observation, that in single 

 harness it should be ascertained that the back-band 

 has always free play through it; and as a precaution, it 

 is desirable that in single harness the belly-band be al- 

 ways wrapped once round at least one of the shafts be- 

 fore the tug, whether the draught be on four or on a pair 

 of wheels. Neglect in this particular has often occa- 

 sioned accidents. The terret-pad is generally placed too 

 far forward; the shortening of the crupper remedies this. 



In double harness have a care that the terret-pad trace 

 bearing-straps are not buckled too short. I have seen 

 fine tall horses greatly worn by these straps being too 



* Any one desiring hints in that line can have the benefit of my 

 experience in dealing with such cattle, by applying to my publisher. 



