CASE AND MANAGEMENT OF HORSES 145 



in such a way that he cannot pull efficiently. This is particu- 

 larly true in ascending a steep grade. The animal is unable to 

 lower his head and hence can put little power into the collar. 

 An animal that is stalled when thus reined can often pull the load 

 if unreined or if the driver will ride him, thus bringing forward 

 the center of gravity and enabling the animal to get a firmer hold 

 on the ground and to put more power into the collar. The 

 over-check rein is also very hard on the animal's back and front 

 limbs in descending a grade. Again, 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. 



The horse should always be reined mildly. Without the rein 

 he is likely to become careless in his habits, shambling in his 

 gait, and to yield to the temptation to eat grass when standing. 

 When the animal lowers his head and neck the lines, collar, and 

 breast-harness slip down and he is likely to become tangled in 

 the harness and may get into difficulty. 



Fitting the collar. — The service of the horse is largely accom- 

 phshed by the shoulders, and it is of the utmost importance that 

 the collar fit the neck and shoulders perfectly. Poorly fitted 

 collars cause the horse much pain, result in sore necks and 

 shoulders, and are a common cause of viciousness and bad habits. 

 Because of the extreme importance of having a well-fitting collar, 

 many makes have been put on the market, such as the leather, 

 the sweeny, the half sweeny, the pneumatic, the steel, and the 

 humane, each asserting superiority over the others (Fig. 59). 

 Each has its advantages and disadvantages. No attempt is 

 made here to favor any style or make ; only general suggestions 

 are given. 



Fitting the collar is a rather difficult task. It is so firm and 

 stiff that usually it is impossible to buckle the harness tight 

 enough to bring it to the shape of the animal's neck, and the 

 shoulders are therefore adjusted to the collar rather than the 



