THE EOYAL AETILLEEY INSTITUTION. 
285 
The horses had to put forth all their strength, they were halted from time 
to time to recover their wind. 
In all the trials, the teams performed their tasks, but without its being 
possible to give a preference to one or other of the systems. At the same 
time the Commission were of opinion that in the greater number of cases the 
simultaneous action, which is difficult to obtain with a team of ten horses, 
and yet is necessary to overcome a serious obstacle, required more attention 
and knowledge on the part of the drivers in the case of collar draught, 
than in the case of breast draught—if a horse throws himself singly into 
the collar he recoils, with the breast harness he throws himself into his work 
more willingly, keeping in draught until the moment when, the other horses 
make their effort, and the obstacle is overcome. 
The result of the whole of the experiments shews that the wither strap 
and neck stall have caused no galls. 
In examining the results of the first series of experiments at first separately 
and then in comparison with those of the 2nd and 3rd series, one is led to 
conclude that the breast strap itself does not gall horses accustomed to its 
use whose skin has become gradually hardened, while galls incurred by horses 
not so accustomed are generally slight, and capable of easy cure, even under 
continued work. 
The fourth series of trials which had for its object the observation of the 
comparative effects of the two systems when employed with heavy weights, in 
bad ground and with sudden jerks, rather than in continued draught, leads 
to a conclusion contrary to received ideas, of a certain advantage in the 
breast harness over the collar. We may find the explanation of this in the 
fact of the horses working better together, even although the work obtained 
from each horse be perhaps with the new system less, than with the old. 
The advantages which would result from the adoption of the breast harness 
are numerous, facility of stowage, of transport, of fitting to horses of all 
descriptions, of manufacture, of repair, the better assured preservation in 
store, uniformity of size, economy in providing and keeping up supply, 
rapidity in harnessing and unharnessing, lightness and elegance in appearance, 
and preservation of the fore part of the shabraque. 
Programme of experiments to be made on a system of Draught by 
means o/’Bricoles (breast straps). 
**■#..# 
Aet. 4.—As soon as the harness with breast straps has been received, 
each regiment will execute without interruption, and with the designated 
equipment, four preliminary marches of from 25 to 30 killometres, within 
the radius of the garrison, and after one day of rest, four field days 
(manoeuvres) with the batteries equipped; two of which to be on the 
ground of the polygon, and two as far as possible on rough ground. 
Aet. 5i—The battery will then perform as early as possible a march of 
ten to twelve days' journey including return, with field equipment; the 
march will be performed two4hirds at the walk, and one4hird at the trot. 
[vol. v.] 38 
