HEAD COLLAR. 



iron, tin, zinc, or in fact with thin metal of any kind. In course 

 of time these metals wear away in certain places, the broken 

 portions become elevated, thus presenting sharp edges, against 

 which a horse may tear and lacerate his skin. Besides it pre- 

 sents an ugly appearance, and in no way is it of benefit. The 

 height of the manger from the ground should be about three 

 feet seven or eight inches ; and, as a rule, from the top of the 

 manger to the top of the hay rack should be the same distance. 



Head Collar. — Head Collars are of various kinds ; but the 

 most preferable is the old-fashioned 

 one of all, such as is exhibited in 

 the annexed engraving. Experience 

 has proved them to be the most se- 

 cure, and in appearance they are 

 quite as neat as any of the newer 

 styles. Going from the head collar, 

 and firmly attached to its lower part, 

 is the shank, which is sometimes a 

 chain, sometimes a rope, and at other 

 times a long piece of flat leather. 

 Chains are disagreable from the rattling noise they make when 

 moved : nevertheless with some horses a chain is indispensable. 

 A rope or a leathern shank they will bite to pieces, and thus 

 liberate themselves ; while, apart from this, rope is not altoge- 

 ther safe, as it is apt to chafe and break. Leather, as a rule, is 

 the best of all : it moves through the ring or roller at the bot- 

 tom of the manger evenly and without noise. It also wears the 

 longest, because it suffers the least from friction. One shank 

 is sufficient ; more than one is not only unnecessary, but at 

 times even dangerous. A horse, when biting a hind leg, may 

 get the foot over one of the head collar shanks, (when two are 

 used) and by this means the animal may be cast in the stall, 



