404 



MANAGEMENT AND BREEDING OF HORSES 



too long the breeching hangs loose and the rig will have 

 a jerky motion. 



The yoke and collar holdback is intended only for light 

 rigs. The backing is accomplished very largely with the 

 neck by means of the yoke and collars. Sometimes a 

 martingale is used, and a part of the backing is accom- 

 plished by pulling down on the saddle. With the breech- 

 ing and belly martingale holdback, much of the backing 



is accomplished by 

 means of breeching, 

 though extra pres- 

 sure is often 

 brought to bear on 

 the top of the neck. 

 While this is a 

 more efficient 

 backer than the 

 yoke and collar, 

 both are open to 

 the same general 

 criticisms in respect 

 to producing sore 

 necks. 



In case the loads 



Fic. 177.— Light Driving Harness are heavy and 



there is consider- 

 able backing to be accomplished, the Boston holdback is 

 recommended. The backing is accomplished with the 

 breeching by means of tugs extending from the breech- 

 ing to the jockey yoke. The draft, therefore, is in a 

 straight line from the end of the tongue to the quarters, 

 thus giving the horse his maximum efficiency in backing. 

 This is by far the easiest on the horse, as there is but little 

 pressure on the neck and none on the back. 



Care of harness. — Harness should receive good care, as 

 this will increase the length of its usefulness and lessen 

 the liability of its injuring the horse. When not in use, 



