44 



Cen'jaur; 



FITTING THE HARNESS. 



How poor are they that have not patience. '* 



N fixing the harness upon the horse it is 

 necessary that all the parts comprising 

 the set should be a close fit, but at the 

 same time everything must be easy, or to 

 use an old term — '' so that the hand can 

 be placed between." The only item of 

 the set that should be really pulled tight 

 is the top hame strap, because the fit and 

 form of the collar depends upon the exact 

 manner in which the hames are attached 

 and retained. In harnessing the horse 

 the first part to commence with is the 

 Saddle, and its immediate belongings. The crupper and 

 breechband should be placed (not thrown) carefully across 

 the back, and left loose until the crupper dock is put in 

 position, which is done by doubling the tail under, and keep- 

 ing the same held up with the left hand until the dock is 

 fixed close under the tail, uitJiout leaving any hairs heticeen, the 

 whole of which is done by standing up near to the horse's 

 side, with the operator's back towards its head, which will 

 prevent the horse doing any injury, and the quicker and 

 quieter this part of the business is performed the better, as 

 the Americans say — " Hurry up ! fix it clean, and right 

 awa5^" 



The Crupper- Dock should alwaj^sbe of good substance, 

 or thickness, and must not be made too hard ; it is then con- 

 siderably easier for the horse than a thin one, and will cause 

 the tail to be carried more showily. There is some art on 

 the part of the haruess maker in properly shaping the dock ; 

 which is invariably stuffed with paper; but linseei is not 

 only preferable, but the proper filling, and, being of an oilj^and 

 softening nature, it is permanently healing. Candles have 

 been used, hence the term — " a candle dock." When the 

 saddle is drawn up and placed properly upon the back, 

 attention should be directed to the pannel stufiing, the thick- 

 ness of which is reduced after a few journeys in a new saddle ; 

 and it should never be allowed to come down thin enough for 

 the tree to touch the horse, whether in new or old saddles. 



