Care and Management of Horses 97 
the driver is ready, then he should be allowed to go. As soon as 
he has become familiar with the vehicle he should be compelled to 
stand still until he is wanted to start (Fig. 42). 
HARNESS AND HARNESSING 
In harnessing the horse, much care should be exercised in 
properly adjusting the various parts of the harness. Properly 
fitted harness adds much to the efficiency and comfort of the horse. 
This is well emphasized by the sore mouth, shoulders, neck, back, 
and tail produced by poorly fitted harness. The tension on these 
parts is rather great, and as they are very tender they are the 
places likely first to show abrasion. Sores thus produced give 
the horse much pain and are likely to become a cause of viciousness. 
Sore mouth thus often provokes a horse to run away; sore 
shoulders and neck often provoke balking; and sore tail often 
provokes kicking. Since the efficiency and comfort of the horse 
depend so largely on the adjustment of the bit, lines, collar, saddle, 
and crupper, it seems desirable to discuss each of these separately. 
167. The bridle. — When one recalls the extreme tenderness 
of the mouth, the cruel manner in which it is often bitted, the 
irritation from the sores, he can understand why a horse may lag 
behind till the parts become numbed, then begin to pull, holding 
the head to one side, going with mouth open, lolling the tongue, 
slobbering, tossing the head, crossing the jaws, and in many other 
ways showing evidence of the discomfort he is suffering. 
168. The bit. — Bits of many types have been devised to meet 
the various and peculiar habits of horses, most of which have been 
designed to punish the horse and irritate the sensitive parts. 
With the punishment of the whip at the rear and a harsh and 
severe bit at the front the horse is between two goads, and if he 
does not balk, rear, plunge, or run away, he is exceptional. 
A good-sized straight bit covered with leather or rubber, if the 
mouth is tender, cannot be improved on in most cases. One 
H 
