56 HARNESSING. 



placed on tlie near or left side, as the left-hand side of 

 the road being that on which vehicles travel, the near- 

 side horse will generally be going an inch or more lower 

 than the off-side one, and the difference of size in the 

 pair will be less perceptible. 



If the animals are of an even size, and one be more 

 lazy than the other, that one should be placed at the 

 off side, being thus more conveniently situated to re- 

 ceive gentle reminders from the whip without obser- 

 vation. If one of the pair iciU carry his head higher 

 than the other, Ms coupling-rein * should run under 

 that of the animal that leans his head the most, so as 

 to bring their heads as much on a level as possible. An 

 ivory ring to run the coupling-reins through looks and 

 acts well. 



Both manes should be trained to flow either in or 

 out from the pole ; the latter way is probably prefer- 

 able. 



Horses left to stand harnessed in the stable should 

 be turned round in the stalls and fastened with the 

 T's of two pillar-reins passed through the rings of the 

 bridoon of bit. Should there be no pillar-reins in 

 pairs belonging to the stern-posts of each stall, tie the 

 horses' heads up with the rack-rein so as to prevent 

 their lying down in the harness. 



As a maxim, never leave a bridle on in the stable, 

 unless in the case where the head can be sustained by 

 a pair of pillar-reins from the stern-posts. Most seri- 

 ous accidents have occurred through neglect of this 

 rule. 



* In double harness, to increase your power in turning, shorten 

 the coupling-reins ; and to ease j^our horses, lengthen these to let 

 their heads work more straight forward. 



