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covered with sufficient leather to take up the necessary amount of the traces. This makes extra holes in the traces unnecessary and avoids their consequent weakening.
The wheelers being properly put to, the leaders are brought up and coupled, their reins passed through the wheel turrets, the near one thrown to the off wheeler's pad. The traces are then fastened in the same manner as in pair-horse work, except that many lap or cross their inside traces instead of bringing them direct to their natural places. All this is a matter of personal fancy or experience.
The lead bars should never be fastened together with a chain or link, as is sometimes seen. This method might lead to the permanent injury of a horse were he to kick and get his leg between the main and side bars. A strap may, however, be used for this purpose with perfect propriety.
