88 HORSES 



the harness. Buckle the hames on securely, so that 

 there is no chance of them slipping, and then turn 

 the collar round. 



The adjustment of the crupper is very simple 

 to those who are in the habit of harnessing 

 horses, but it is by no means an easy task for 

 others. There always appears to be some risk in 

 standing at a horse's heels and taking liberties with 

 his tail, but there is really no danger. Stand 

 directly behind, take the tail in one hand, having 

 previously doubled up the loose hair, then with a 

 vigorous push raise it to an almost perpendicular 

 position and slip on the crupper. See that there 

 are no hairs caught up, and that the bight of 

 the crupper is as far as it will go. If you 

 do this part of your work in a half-hearted or 

 hesitating sort of way, the pony will exert all his 

 muscles to hold the tail down ; but go at it boldly 

 and he will allow you to do it at once. Of course, 

 before putting on the crupper you will have laid 

 the pad loosely on the pony's back, when all you 

 have to do is to draw it forward and buckle under- 

 neath. Bridle and reins will then complete your 

 task, but, as I have known people get muddled 

 about the latter, a few words of instruction will not 

 be out of place. 



Take the reins where they meet in a bight and 

 run your hands down to the buckle ends. This 

 is merely to see that they are not twisted. Reeve 

 each end, first through ring on pad, then ring on 

 hames, and lastly buckle on to the bit. 



