CH. Ill LEAD-BARS 5/ 



come loose. These springs were comparatively 

 new in ' Nimrod's' time. (Malet, p. 348.) 



The fittings of the bars are usually secured by 

 screws, and the bars should be always put on with 

 the screw-heads up, so that the loss of a screw will 

 be noticed. It is, however, much better to have the 

 fittings secured by bolts which go entirely through 

 them, as at C, and are riveted, so that they cannot 

 possibly come oft. 



A dangerous accident, which not infrequently 

 happens, is to have the fitting on the end of the 

 main-bar come off, which lets the single-bar drop 

 on the leader's hocks and may cause even the 

 quietest horse to kick ; therefore the method of 

 fastening the fittings with bolts should be insisted 

 on. It is not so important for the centre fittings, 

 since their coming loose cannot do much harm. 



A single link, or three or four short links, of steel 

 are sometimes used to connect the inside hooks of 

 the bars.* This should never be done, as in the 

 event of a horse kicking and getting his leg between 

 the main-bar and the single-bars, it is almost im- 

 possible to release him, and great damage may 

 result. 



Such an arrangement is useless, at any rate, but 

 if, for any temporary reason, it should be desired, 

 merely a strap, which can be quickly cut, should be 

 used. 



* This is as old as ' Nimrod's' time. See £ssajs, Malet, p. 191. 



