THE EOYAL ARTILLERY INSTITUTION. 
287 
the demi-batteries should be as much as possible under the same conditions, 
as regards the strength and description of the horses, and the expertness 
of the drivers. 
The different batteries thus organized were to be subjected during fifteen 
days under the superintendence of special Commissions, to preparatory 
exercises destined to habituate the horses to the use of the hricole (breast 
strap), and were then to execute successively four marches of from 25 to 30 
kilos, and four field days, with carriages. 
To these preliminary exercises succeeded more serious trials consisting of 
ten days* march with field equipment packed, a third of the distances being 
done at the trot. 
Finally, after some days of rest the same teams were made to recommence 
the same itinerary, this time with siege equipment. 
The analysis of the reports shews that the points of comparison on which 
the attention of the different Commissions has been particularly directed in 
order to appreciate the relative value of the two systems of draught are as 
follows;— 
(1) Facility of draught. 
(2) Galling of horses. 
(3) Wear and tear to horses. 
(4) Facility of adjusting the harness, and of harnessing and unharnessing, 
(5) Facility of carriage and of storage of the harness, 
(6) Maintenance and repair. 
(7) Influence of inclement weather. 
FACILITY OF DRAUGHT. 
Minute of the General Commanding the Artillery of the Guard . 
In an additional series of comparative trials executed on sandy and steep 
ground, it was observed that with teams with breast harness it was easier to 
ensure the traces being stretched before starting, because the horses leant 
without fear on their breast straps, while on the contrary, the horses refused 
to throw themselves beforehand into the collar, the traces were imperfectly 
stretched, and at the putting of the carriage in motion there would ensue a 
violent jerk, during which many of the horses would rear up, particularly 
the off horses. 
The force of these jerks was such that two swingletrees of excellent wood 
were successively broken by the teams with collars. 
The collar and the breast harness gave nearly the same power of draught, 
but the draught with breast harness is more free from jerks. 
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