54 



HARNESS HINTS. 



A safe and neat tie is a good strap or rope, with a snap on 

 one end. Tie the strap to the post, pass the snap through 

 the bit, over the horse's neck, and snap into the same bit- 

 ring. Any attempt to get away draws the bit towards the 

 -crest of the neck uncomfortably. 



The good road halter is the simple one drawn. 

 The muzzle piece is a slip-noose, and the only 

 other strap goes over the head back of the bridle, 

 so it cannot be worked off. Throughout it is 

 made of inch and a half heavy leather, and pull- 

 ing only compresses the horse's mouth. It is 

 quickly and easily put on, even with numb hands, 

 and is tasteful for ladies' use. Don't tolerate a road halter 

 with a short tie strap. 



Keep the collar clean. Oil it once a month, the rest of 

 the harness twice a year. Clean the leather before you 

 apply the dressing twice as much neat's-foot oil as beef 

 tallow, with a dash of castor oil, no lampblack. Oil to the 

 harness increases the wear of both it and the horse. 



A good plan of haltering horses 

 is shown he$. Put a staple on the 

 outside of the manger, put the halter 

 strap through this, and tie the end 

 of the halter to a block of wood 

 below the staple. This will always 

 keep the slack taut. 



Take the horse to the harness 

 shop, and do not buy a collar that 

 does not fit. A slight misfit may 

 be overcome by making a cut where 

 it will be covered by the hame and 

 removing some of the padding. The collar will not be 

 injured. 



