Hints to horse-keepers : a complete manual for horsemen; embracing chapters on mules and ponies . d be so strong that, if the traces orwhiffle-tree break, the horse may draw his load by the bit;their rounded part, which should ex-tend well back of the saddle terrets,should be smooth and not twisted; andthe hand-pieces, which are best madeof soft russet leather, should be of asize suited to the drivers hand, andvery pliable. The reins may be sup-plied with buttons to prevent the handsfrom slipping, and the end next tothe bit should be enlarged, as in , to prevent the martingale ringsfrom


Hints to horse-keepers : a complete manual for horsemen; embracing chapters on mules and ponies . d be so strong that, if the traces orwhiffle-tree break, the horse may draw his load by the bit;their rounded part, which should ex-tend well back of the saddle terrets,should be smooth and not twisted; andthe hand-pieces, which are best madeof soft russet leather, should be of asize suited to the drivers hand, andvery pliable. The reins may be sup-plied with buttons to prevent the handsfrom slipping, and the end next tothe bit should be enlarged, as in , to prevent the martingale ringsfrom sli])ping over the buckle. The Martingale may be of either the standing or ring sort, according to the taste of the purchaser. It is not a very important part of the harness, if the horse has been trained to carry his head in its proper place. If he persist in running out his nose, he will probably be most effectually cured by Fia. 83. the use of the standing martingale^ nhile, if he have a trick of tossing his head, a rather short ring-martingale will ennble his driver to resist or punish 16. HARNESSING. 418 fche attempt. The martingale, in its passage from the girthto the reins, should be securely attached to the collar(if the English collar be used); and if there be no martin-gale, the collar should be connected with the saddle girthby what is called a false martingale. This is very impor-tant, especially in double harness without breeching, wheBfully one-half of the weight of the load, in going downbill, comes upon this false martingale. The Mounting.—The finest bits are of polished steel;and the terretsand buckles of plated metal, orcovered withleather. The steel bits should be smooth, and entirely fieefrom flaws and dull spots; the brilliancy of the polish isof no consequence. Plating is of two sorts,—electro-plat-mg, and close-plating; the latter is the best, and may bedistinguished by breathing on it, and examining it whilecovered with moisture, when there will be f


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Keywords: ., bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, booksubjecthorses, bookyear1887