THE 3EEECHING. 411 



frojn a nng at the back of the saddle to the sruppcr, find 

 has an opening over the horse's hips, through which the 

 strap, supporting the breeching, is passed, and the coutiniia- 

 tion is divided at its end so as to buckle into either end of 

 the crupper. 



The Crupper is that part which passes under the horoe's 

 tail, and which serves to hold the saddle back to its proper 

 place, and to prevent its yielding to the tension of tho 

 check-rein, when one is used. It should be very large (as 

 being less likely to hurt the horse), and filled with some 

 material which will not become hard and stiff; a very 

 large crupper will prevent the horse from holding his tail 

 hard down over the rein, and thus removes a serious diffi- 

 culty incident to driving. 



The Beeeching. — The breeching is the strap which 

 passes back of the horse's thighs, and which sustains the 

 weight of the carriage in descending hills, and moves it in 

 backing. It is indispensable in single harness, but is not 

 necessary in double harness, except for heavy work or in 

 hilly countries. On tolerably level roads, and with mod- 

 erately light loads, horses will work equally well and more 

 comfortably without it, while their appearance is Very 

 much improved by its absence. The breeching should be 

 made in the same manner as the plate of the breast-collar, 

 having at its ends strong rings instead of buckles. It 

 should not be too long, the rings coming very little for- 

 ward of the horse's stifle. It is supported by a strap pass- 

 ing over the horse's hips, to the divided ends of which, on 

 citlier side, it is attached at the ring and at a point further 

 back, which should not be less than six inches from the 

 ring. This supporting strap may be either split up nearly 

 to the back-strap, or it may be connected by a ring with two 

 short straps which pass to the two points of attachment of 

 the breeching. 



