ExJiihited at the Nottingham Meethuj. 
113 
stitutes an attempt to replace the ordinary staffed leather horse- 
collar \yitli one made entirely of metal. 
The collar is composed of two similar halves, with the 
necessary connections, formed of thin steel plate, of U-shaped 
section, and provided with a hinge at top which allows of its 
being opened, while it is shut by means of a spring catch. The 
collar is easily put on, or taken off, without passing over the 
head, while its disengagement, when a horse falls, is greatly 
facilitated. . The collar may be described as a hollow pair of 
hames, enlarged, and fitting the horse's shoulder, while its U- 
Fig. IG. — Elastic Steel Horse Collar. 
shaped section gives it considerable elasticity, and relieves the 
shocks incidental to sudden and heavy draught. 
It is claimed that horses using these collars are less liable 
to galling than with the leather collar, the lining of which 
becomes rotted by perspiration and rain, hard on the surface, 
and consequently apt to produce sores. On the other hand, it 
is impossible to say, without extended trial, whether these ad- 
vantages will or will not be realised. Such a trial is, of course, 
impossible at an agricultural show, but the Judges hope, by 
VOL. XXV.— S. S. I 
