Monday, December 29, 2008

The 40 Horse Hitch - 1903


This is a well circulated photo of the Barnum & Bailey parade in 1903 featuring the 40 Horse hitch under the direction of Jake Posey. Mr. Posey explained that he had a man behind him at all times to keep the reins straight. A turn to the right or left by the teams meant an extra twenty feet of reins sliding through his fingers. Just one twist in the lines would knock them all out of his hand. Once they straightened up, it required pulling that extra twenty feet of reins back in and keeping it straight.

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