400 MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



unable to lower his head, and hence can put little power 

 into the collar. Further, when reined too tight it holds 

 the head and neck in such an unnatural position that they 

 soon become numbed and the horse is seen to toss his 

 head from side to side and to take other characteristic 

 attitudes in search of relief. 



Collars. — The service of the horse is very largely ac- 

 complished by means of the collar, and it is of the utmost 

 importance that it fit the neck and shoulders perfectly. 

 The unequal pressure due to a poorly fitted collar causes 



FIG. 175.— TYPES OF COLLARS 

 1, Humane; 2, pneumatic; 3, steel; 4, leather. 



the horse much pain and often results in a sore neck or 

 sore shoulders. Such sores are a rather common cause 

 of vicious habits among horses, particularly balking, 

 striking and kicking. 



Kinds of collars. — Because of the difficulty in keeping 

 the neck and shoulders in a thrifty condition, many types 

 of collars have been devised to meet the needs of the 

 horse. Chief among these types are the various styles 

 of the common leather; the pneumatic, the metal, and the 

 humane. The adherents of each of these types assert 

 superiority over the other. The humane collar differs in 

 shape from any of the others. It consists of a metal 

 frame and two broad leather pads, one for either shoul- 



