410 HARNESS. 



of leverage required. The mouth-piece is usually made 

 plain, — without the port or curve which is used in the 

 Hanoverian bit, for riding. 



Whenever a curb-chain is used, particular attention 

 should be given to its length. If too tight, it chafes the 

 horse's chin ; if too loose, it does not act with snfhcient 

 power. It should be so adjusted that, when the branches 

 are perpendicular, and the horse's head in its proper posi- 

 tion, the finger may be easily passed between it and the 

 chin. 



The Body. — The body part of the harness consists of the 

 saddle, with girths, the back-strap, and crupper, and the 

 breeching and hold-back. 



The Saddle. — The saddle may be either heavy or light, 

 according to the character of the harness. For buggy har- 

 ness and for light double harness, it shoukl be very narrow 

 and light, (in all cases, it should be stuffed on either side 

 of the spine), with a piece of heavy felt, or leather plate, 

 of somewhat greater width attached to it, to prevent it 

 from injuring the horse's back, — this is entirely separate 

 from the saddle, and is attached to it by two small straps 

 passing around it, one at either end of the saddle. The 

 terrets are two standing rings at the sides, and a hook in 

 the centre, to which the check -rein is fastened. 



The Girths should be made in the same manner as the 

 shoulder-piece and plate of the breast-collar, — that is, of a 

 piece of ordinary leather, protected on the side next to the 

 horse, by a pad of softer leather of greater width. Single 

 harness has two girths — one to hold the saddle, and one 

 to hold down the "tugs," (through which the shafts are 

 passed,) while double harness has but one girth, the traces 

 being passed through a loop on the lower part of the sad- 

 dle-straps on either side. 



The Back-strap and Crupper. — The back-strap passes 



