What Is Breeching?
Carriage harnessing has been developed to relieve stress on the horse. Breeching is the component of harnessing that allows the horse to stop or slow without fear of the carriage ramming into his legs.
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Appearance
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The breeching is the wide strap that fits around the horse's rump, under the tail and above the hocks.
Fit
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The breeching runs behind the horse's rump and attaches to the shafts of the cart. It sits mid-way down the horse's back legs with the end of the breeching at the horses flank. Proper tightness: Slide your hand between the horse's rump and the breeching and turn your hand sideways. The hand should fit snugly between the rump and the breeching without gaps or pinching.
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Uses
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When the horse stops or slows, the forward motion of the carriage pushes the shafts along the horse's side forward, pressing the breeching against the horse's hindquarters, slowing or stopping the carriage.
Variations
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For light vehicles, false breeching may be used (a strap attached solely to the shafts, not to the horse's harness).
Misconceptions
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While breeching can be used with a saddle, a crupper (a smaller strap of leather around the tail) is more commonly used.
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