OB, The Turn Out. 



39 



PURCHASING OR ORDERING THE 



HARNESS. 



Knavery's plain face is never seen tiU used.** 



TIE first question to consider in reference 

 to the harness before you purchase or 

 order is, the kind of vehicle to be used ; 

 if a heavy or light one, or Avhetlier it is 

 to be a gig, dog cart, or four wheeler. 

 For a gig the harness should be made up 

 to have a light appearance, an imperial 

 pad with straight flaps, square (or West- 

 end) furniture and winkers, look and wear 

 well, in both silver and brass furniture. 

 Where practicable the horse may be used 

 to work without winkers. If the business 

 requires a dog cart or trap, the harness should be somewhat 

 liouvier, with an Alexandra or other saddle, at discretion. 

 IShould a four-wheeler or phaeton be decided upon, the saddle 

 is not required to be heavy, the onl}' weight to carry being the 

 shafts, but a breech-band, (either a long or short one), is 

 absolutely necessary. Many persons in setting up their first 

 "Turn Out" decide upon having a second-hand set of 

 harness, which sj'stem of drawing the line at the harness, after 

 going to the expense of a good horse, and probably a new 

 vehicle, requires a second consideration, and the harness, 

 before purchasing, most minute examination. At first sight 

 the set may be clean, and to all appearance sound; but when 

 we consider the fact that the simple breaking of the top 

 hame strap, or the ends of the traces, or billetts of the reins, 

 ma}'' result in the death of a valuable steed, the total wreck 

 of a handsome vehicle, and, perhaps, permanent injury to 

 the driver and occupants, besides numerous risks to the 

 public, it becomes necessary, and in fact a duty, that the 

 harness should have as much, if not more, preliminary con- 

 sideration than the remainder or most expensive part of the 

 "Turn Out," particularly as we are aware, and now formally 

 warned of the fact, that the welfare of the whole lot depends 

 entirely upon the soundness of the merest strap, which is an 

 easy matter to overlook in purchasing a second-hand, or 

 cheap, common-made new set. 



