ox DRAUGHT. 545 



and trace. These straps, if well fitted, were not bad ; but as tliey must 

 have pressed in some degree upon the throat, they could not be equal to the 

 collar of the yoked horses, still less to the collar at present used. 



In more modern times these shoulder-straps gave place to the breast- 

 strap. A horse can no doubt exert a considerable strain against such a 

 strap, but in action it must impede the movement of the shoulder. 



Fig. ] a 



In some parts of South America the trace is fixed to the pummel of the 

 saddle, which in its turn is well secured to the horse by saddle-girths, 

 breast-straps, and breechings ; and we are informed that horses in this 

 manner drag very considerable loads. It resembles completely the harness 

 of the ancielits, with the addition of the breechings._ _ It is, of course, a 

 mere temporaiy arrangement, convenient only as requiring no preparation. 

 The trace is, in fact, the lasso of the rider, which is always fastened to the 

 saddle ; and when he has entangled it round the horns of a bull, or attached 

 it to an^d^hino- he may have occasion to transport, he takes one or two turns 

 of the thong* round the pummel of the saddle, and the horse will at full 

 gallop drag the load after him. Here the load being generally upon the 

 o-round, tlie trace must incline considerably downwards ; and this, added 

 to the weio-ht of the rider, will perhaps account in some degree for the 

 extraordinary effects of a young powerful horse goaded to the utmost, and 

 continuing the exertion only for a short time. 



A o-entleman who travelled some time in this part of America, and 



N N 



