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Collars Versus Breast Blades or Breast 

 Collars. 



Breast-collars should only be used for light 

 driving or when using light vehicles on good and 

 level roads, never for heavy vehicles or on muddy 

 and hilly roads. . A regular collar should be used 

 for pulling surreys and for lighter rigs when 

 driving over hilly or muddy roads. 



Breast-collars, as generally adjusted, inter- 

 fere with the free breathing of the horse, especi- 

 ally when heavy pulling is necessary. The breast- 

 collar is apt to press on the windpipe (trachea) 

 and thus interfere with the free and full respira- 

 tion necessary, especially when extra exertion u- 

 needed. Horses under such conditions often stop 

 and refuse to start readily again. The driver of- 

 ten considers this as balking or obstinacy on the 

 part of the animal, when it is only a matter of 

 self-preservation and arises from the use of im- 

 proper harness. Horses constantly worked under 

 such conditions become permanently impaired, 

 and the owner wonders why. 



