HARNESSING. 418 



fche attempt. The martingale, in its passage from the girth 

 to the reins, should be securely attached to the collar 

 (if the English collar be used); and if there be no martin- 

 gale, the collar should be connected with the saddle girth 

 by what is called a false martingale. This is very impor- 

 tant, especially in double harness without breeching, wheB 

 fully one-half of the weight of the load, in going down 

 bill, comes upon this false martingale. 



The Mounting. — The finest bits are of polished' steel ; 

 and the terretsand buckles of plated metal, orcovered with 

 leather. The steel bits should be smooth, and entirely fi'ee 

 from flaws and dull spots ; the brilliancy of the polish is 

 of no consequence. Plating is of two sorts, — electro-plat- 

 mg, and close-plating ; the latter is the best, and may be 

 distinguished by breathing on it, and examining it while 

 covered with moisture, when there will be found, on some 

 part of it, the joint where the two edges of the leaf of 

 silver or gold come together. When no such joint can be 

 found, reject the mounting as electro-plated. The plating 

 should be free from little cracks. Covered buckles and 

 terrets are a vanity. They look well at first, but they are 

 never strong, and the leather in time wears off and looks 

 shabby. Even plain japanned buckles are to be preferred 

 to covered ones. 



HOW TO HARNESS AND UNHARNESS THE HORSE. 



Lead the horse out from his stall to where the collar haa 

 been conveniently hung, and, with the large end upper- 

 most, put the same carefully over his head, having first 

 widened it by pulling it over the knee. After it has passed 

 his head, turn it (in the direction in which the mane falls) 

 to its proper position. The breast-collar may be passed 



