GENERAL PREPARATION FOR WORK 297 



be applied whenever the collar is removed. Tumccs, con- 

 taining bloody water, frequently rise on the neck. They 

 should be opened immediately, emptied, and kept open for a 

 few days. The piece must be taken out of the collar, and a 

 safe used. On a hilly road the lower part of the collar often 

 galls the neck very seriously, in spite of every alteration in 

 the stuffing. A broad strap, attached to the top of the collar, 

 and passing over the windpipe, is the only remedy. The 

 strap should be two inches broad, and drawn tight enough to 

 keep the collar steady, and to make it stand nearly upright. 

 It should be adjusted before the head is put on the bearing 

 rein. It should be worn till the neck is quite sound. [A 

 broad breast band may be substituted for the neck collar, till 

 the neck and shoulders get well. A horse will pull about as 

 well in this as in the collar and hames.] When the traces, 

 crupper, or pad, threaten, or produce excoriation, they must be 

 kept ofi' by cushions placed behind, before, or to each side of 

 the part injured. 



The back requires nearly as much care as the neck. A 

 new saddle is objectionable for a new horse, particularly when 

 he has to travel far under a heavy rider. A tender back may 

 be hardened by frequent use of the saddle, and a light weight. 

 The horse may stand saddled in the stable, and saddled when 

 he goes to exercise. When the back is hot, and the skin 

 disposed to rise in tumors, the saddle should remain on till 

 the back be cool. Slacken the girths, raise the saddle for a 

 moment, and then replace it. Its weight prevents tumors ; 

 excoriation and firing must be treated as on the neck. Al- 

 ways let the pannels of the saddle be dry before it is again 

 used, and put it on half an hour before the horse is to be 

 mounted. 



Inuring to Exertion. — Horses from whom extraordinary 

 exertions are not demanded ; those that are never expected 

 nor required to do all that a horse is capable of doing, stand 

 in little need of inurement to work, and it is seldom that any 

 is intentionally given. When a saddle or draught-horse is 

 purchased, he is often put to his work at once without any 

 preparation. He is treated as if he were as able for the work 

 as it is possible to make him. So long as the work is slow, 

 and not very laborious, he may perform it well enough. But 

 this system will not do for full work, whether fast or slow. If 

 the horse have been idle for a month or two, he is weak. It 

 matters little that he is plump and in good spirits. He may 

 be able to draw a load of twenty or thirtv hundred weight 



