406 HARNESS. 



stylish carriage, holding their heads high, and having 

 very sloping shoulders, the collar is liable to work too 

 much against the windpipe. This may be obviated by 

 selecting hames, with the attachment of the traces very 

 low down, and by the use of a breast strap, or false mar- 

 tingale, passing from the collar, between the fore legs, to the 

 girth. A collar which is open at the top, fastened by 

 straps and buckles, does not afford so firm a resistance to 

 the draught, and for light harness is not so desirable as 

 one solid-made, though it allows the size of the collar to 

 be regulated to the neck. 



For fine harness, collars are usually made with patent 

 leather on the outside, because this has a more finished 

 appearance, but a strong quality of common leather is 

 more durable. The lining for the collars of fine harness 

 should always be of leather. This is also best for work 

 harness, but woollen cloth is generally used, because it is 

 cheaper. The stuffing in an English collar, for light work, 

 may be soft ; but for heavy work it should be hard and 

 perfectly even. It should be of some material which will 

 not become matted together. For a buggy harness it may 

 be of long straw, bound together, and covered with woollen; 

 while for heavy harness there is no material so good as 

 rye straw, cut as short as possible, so that it may be 

 packed away in the collar, like sand. This will always 

 give an even bearing on the shoulder, and will remain dry 

 and cool. 



The Breast or Dutch Collar^ which is represented in 

 figure 81, is better than the English collar for any light 

 work, (in single harness) and it has the advantage of 

 showing off a fine shoulder, which the other style would 

 only conceal. The construction of the breast-collar is very 

 simple. It should be lined on the inside with a wide, 

 double fold of soft enamelled leather, under the breast-strap 



