An essay on the breeding and management of draught horses by Reynolds Richard S

Author:Reynolds, Richard S
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Tags: Horses, Draft horses
Publisher: London : Ballière, Tindall, and Cox
Published: 1882-03-25T05:00:00+00:00

different. The position of the carter being at the side instead of behind, he cannot render his horse any assistance by manipulation of the reins, and. the bearing-rein, being attached to the unyielding and non-sentient hames of the collar, can convey no intelligent impression therefrom to the horse's mouth ; but these two circumstances do not prevent the animal from employing his own intelligence in using the rein, if permitted to do so by its proper adjustment.

As a matter of fact, it is admitted by almost all men practically acquainted with the subject that a draught horse can move a greater weight with, than without, a bearing-rein; and I conceive the reason for this to be, that it affords support to the horse's head, and assists in the establishment of a balance of power between the upper and under muscles of his neck. A horse, provided with a properly-adjusted one, will use his own intelligence in the employment of it, and will seek its aid to support and maintain his head in that position which experience has shown him is the most comfortable to himself, and the one in which he can exert his greatest strength.

To accomplish the purposes which I understand the bearing-rein serves, it must be applied with intelligence, and be always sufficiently free to permit the horse to relax every muscle of his neck when he desires to do so. It may do all this, and yet be sufficiently tight to afford material support under a severe effort of draught.

In adjusting the rein, due consideration must be given to varieties of conformation. To cramp the muscles of a horse with a tight bearing-rein is a senseless, useless, and cruel practice, but is one which I look upon as being an abuse and not an intelligent use of an auxiliary appendage to cart-horse harness; and, I believe that a properly-adjusted rein affords no inconsiderable assistance and comfort to a horse frequently called upon to stop and start his load.

By disuse of the bearing-rein cart horses contract a tendency to become careless and slovenly in their gait, and to carry their heads to the near side from absence of equal bearing on both sides the mouth; and, in my opinion, it is as reasonable to expect a hackney ridden with a slack rein to carry his rider safely and well, as for a cart horse, unassisted by a bearing-rein, to be clever, active, and safe at his work.

Clothing.

The provision of stable clothing is altogether unnecessary for cart horses in health ; it is, however, an essential for the treatment of many diseases to which draught animals equally with finer-bred ones are subject.

Opinions differ with regard to the use of a covering for horses when performing slow work, but the custom to provide clothing for outdoor wear has become almost universal in northern towns. The judicious use of clothing for horses during the hours they are exposed to inclemencies of weather is undoubtedly advantageous, but unless rain is falling it

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.