72 Training the Work Horse 



securing the front end by strapping to the hame tugs, 

 and the rear end to the hip-straps and breeching, 

 and then driving the horse about the inclosure a few 

 times. The rear end of the poles is then unstrapped 

 from the hip-straps and permitted to drag on the 

 ground as the horse is being driven about the pad- 

 dock. This has the added advantage of famihariz- 

 ing him with the position and pressure of the shafts 

 as well as to the pressure of the collar and the breech- 

 ing, while in motion. 



Harnessing the horse. — With the horse properly 

 poled, harnessing is an easy task. Put him in his 

 accustomed stall and allow him to smell and feel the 

 harness (Fig. 13). This is important, for occa- 

 sionally horses are frightened out of their senses by 

 the careless driver throwing the harness over their 

 backs before allowing them to feel and smell it. In 

 this manner, the bands and loose straps striking the 

 animal on the legs and abdomen often provoke 

 kicking. Such excitement can be avoided easily 

 by permitting the horse to smell and feel the harness 

 and by gently lifting it over his back. Carefully 

 raise the tail, and gently put the crupper strap on, 

 then step to the side and fasten the bands. With 

 care, work the breast harness or collar over the head 

 as suggested in bridling (p. 59). 



While the harness should not be new, smelling of 

 things unfamiliar to the horse, it should be of good 

 quality and in good repair, for if a part breaks there 



