Harnessing and Hitching 45 



strap through the nose-band, thus forming a loop 

 around the lower jaw, in which condition the horse 

 can be easily controlled (p. 199). 



In bridling, harnessing and saddling a horse the 

 work should be done from the left side. The har- 

 ness should be gently but firmly placed upon the 

 animal. The harness and other equipment should 

 be of good quality and in good repair, and so 

 adjusted as to fit the animal snugly. In hitching 

 a horse into a pair of shafts, the shafts always should 

 be raised and the animal led under or backed into 

 them, or the vehicle drawn forward, as the horse is 

 likely to step on a shaft and break it if backed in 

 while they are on the ground. In hitching, the 

 lines should be fastened into the bit and then placed 

 where they can be reached easily before attaching 

 the horse to the vehicle. In unhitching, the lines 

 should be the last disengaged, and care should be 

 taken that the animal is free from the vehicle before 

 he is led away. Serious accidents often result from 

 leading the horse out of the shafts before the hold- 

 backs are unfastened. 



In tying to a post or hitching-rack, the horse 

 should be secured by a strong rope or strap placed 

 around his neck, then passed through the ring of the 

 bit and on to the post. It is good practice to obtain 

 a short strap about six inches long, provided with a 

 loose ring and a snap at either end to secure in the 

 bit-ring on either side so the loose ring will remain 



