444 HIGHWAYS AND HORSES. 



spond ; it is well to have a bottom bar across from one 

 cheek to another, as it is handy for a groom to catch 

 hold of, particularly with leaders. The blinkers should 

 be well hollowed out so as not to hurt the horse's eyes. 

 There have been numerous trace buckles brought out 

 lately, and in fact Mr. White, of Bishopsgate, twenty 

 years ago patented a peg and slide which was exhibited 

 at the International Exhibition of 185 1, and I do not 

 know that anything much better has been done since 

 then. It lies flat, and allows the trace to be let out 

 and taken in very easily. Messrs. Lennan & Son, of 

 Dublin, have recently patented an improvement on 

 White's invention. 



The blinkers should never press upon the eyes, 

 but be wide apart — but not so wide as to flap about. 

 The only intention of the blinker is to protect the eye 

 from the lash, to prevent the horse from shying at 

 objects with which he meets, or from seeing the 

 carriage behind him. 



The cheek-strap in harness should never be too 

 tight ; the bit should be placed firmly but comfortably 

 in the horse's mouth, but not in any way to incon- 

 venience him. 



One of the most important things about a horse's 

 harness, and which requires the very greatest care and 

 consideration, is his collar ; it should be well made, 

 not stuffed too hard, but with plenty of elasticity ; it 

 should rest perfectly easily upon the shoulder-blade 

 or scapula. W^hen the collar is on, there should be 

 room to place one's hand easily between it and the 

 chest of the horse. The collar should never be put on 

 or taken off with the hames on ; the hames should 

 be first unbuckled, the collar will then yield to the 

 horse's head. To attempt to push a collar over a 



