New horses are very liable to have the skin injured by the harness. The friction of the saddle, collar, or traces, produces excoriation. In some horses this is not altogether avoidable, especially when they are in poor condition. Their skin is tender, and a little matter exposes the quick. In all horses it is some time before the skin thickens, and becomes sufficiently callous to carry the harness without injury. The time it requires to undergo this change is variable, and can not be materially shortened by any means. But attention to the harness will frequently prevent excoriation. After every journey the neck should be closely examined. If there be any spot, however little abraded, hot and tender, when pinched, that part of the collar which produced it, should be cut out before the next journey. The guard or safe, is a useful article to prevent galls of this kind. It is merely a thin slip of soft leather, covering the seat of the collar. It obviates friction, and prevents injurious pressure from any little protuberance or hardness in the stuffing of the collar. On the first or second journey a new horse often comes in with his neck somewhat inflamed; it is hot, tender, and covered with pimples. In the stables it is said to be fired.

A solution of common salt in water is usually applied, and it serves to allay the inflammation; it should be applied whenever the collar is removed. Tumors, containing bloody water, frequently rise on the neck. They should be opened immediately, emptied, and kept open for a few days. The piece must be taken out of the collar, and a safe used. On a hilly road the lower part of the collar often galls the neck very seriously, in spite of every alteration in the stuffing. A broad strap, attached to the top of the collar, and passing over the windpipe, is the only remedy. The strap should be two inches broad, and drawn tight enough to keep the collar steady, and to make it stand nearly upright. It should be adjusted before the head is put on the bearing rein. It should be worn till the neck is quite sound. [A broad breast band may be substituted for the neck collar, till the neck and shoulders get well. A horse will pull about as well in this as in the collar and names.] When the traces, crupper, or pad, threaten, or produce excoriation, they must be kept off by cushions placed behind, before, or to each side of the part injured.

The back requires nearly as much care as the neck. A new saddle is objectionable for a new horse, particularly when he has to travel far under a heavy rider. A tender back may be hardened by frequent use of the saddle, and a light weight. The horse may stand saddled in the stable, and saddled when he goes to exercise. When the back is hot, and the skin disposed to rise in tumors, the saddle should remain on till the back be cool. Slacken the girths, raise the saddle for a moment, and then replace it. Its weight prevents tumors; excoriation and firing must be treated as on the neck. Always let the pannels of the saddle be dry before it is again used, and put it on half an hour before the horse is to be mounted.