The first starts from the tug on one end of the backband, and goes right round the horse’s quarters to the tug on the other.
The second buckles to loops on each shaft, these loops being placed half way between the stops and the front of the cart.
|Brown’s patent.| The third consists of a broad strap, which is stretched fairly taut across the shafts about six or eight inches from the front of the cart. This one is always ready and requires no adjustment, looks neat, and answers admirably. It is known as Brown’s patent.
The first method is better than the second, because it does not require any extra loops on the shafts, which tend to weaken them considerably, and also it does not take any of the paint off.
|Breeching rubbing the horse.| If a horse’s quarters should get rubbed by the breeching, the best plan to prevent any further damage is to have a large piece of sheepskin sewn round the strap, with the hair next the horse.
|Crupper.| The crupper ought to be fitted so that there is room for the breadth of the hand, or about four inches, between it and the horse’s back, when the pad is in the right place. Great care should be taken that all the hairs of the tail are passed through the crupper.
|Breast harness.| Breast harness can very often be substituted for collars with great advantage, especially when the horses’ necks get wrung by the latter.
This method of draught also obviates the necessity of keeping a large number of collars to fit all sorts of horses, while another advantage is, that you are able to use breechings to the best advantage in double harness.
The breast strap should be made of a strong leather strap, about three inches wide, and padded inside so that the hard edges do not touch the skin.
For double harness a ring must be sewn into the middle for the purpose of attaching the pole chains.