52 THE HORSE 



utilitarian or humanitarian point of view. This is 

 the fit of the collar. If too tight the disastrous 

 effects soon become apparent, as the animal gets 

 half choked, and the risks of megrims occurring are 

 rendered quite probable. On the other hand, a loose 

 collar is a fruitful cause of sore shoulders, and there- 

 fore the owner should exercise as much care in 

 seeing to the fit of his horse's collar as he does to 

 that of his own boots. Indiarubber collars are not 

 to be recommended unless under very exceptional 

 cases, as they do not absorb the perspiration, and 

 chafing is therefore encouraged. It should be re- 

 membered too that when a collar is taken off, it 

 should be given a chance to dry, as if put on wet 

 the next day it is obviously very likely to injure the 

 skin. The collar, therefore, should be hung up on a 

 peg situated in as airy and dry a position as possible ; 

 and it may be added that it is always a bad practice 

 to keep harness in the stable with the horses, as it 

 simply spoils through the heat and also by contact 

 with the exhalations of the animals. 



In well-conducted establishments, not only should 

 the harness be cleaned daily, but every part of it 

 should be taken to pieces at least once a fortnight, 

 and once a week is better. This prevents the 

 buckles wearing into the leather and affords an 

 opportunity for a thorough cleansing ; but it may be 

 added that the owner who insists upon this practice 

 being carried out is not likely to be in sympathy 

 with his groom, for, easy as it is to take a set of 

 harness to pieces, it requires time to put it together 

 again. 



