The skeleton break (or brake) was used to exercise the four-in-hand team and also for breaking the team to harness. The driver’s seat was placed high and this offered him some protection in his dangerous task of putting-to and subduing the horses when they first commenced their team work. Youngsters or fresh horses would be put-to in double harness to a break with an old and reliable specially trained “break horse” or “schoolmaster.” An additional stable-helper would usually stand on the front platform holding on behind the box so that he was free to jump easily on or off as occasion demanded, thus leaving the driver free to cope with his inevitable problems brought on by the high spirits of the fresh “young one.” This skeleton break was built by Brewster and Company of New York. _Gift of Mr. F. Ambrose Clark of Cooperstown, New York._ [Illustration] BODY BREAK WITH PERCH _Body painted dark olive green, green gear. Trimmed in tan cord._ The break (or brake) was a most useful adjunct to establishments where four horses were kept, as it could be used to exercise the team, or as an alternative to the road coach for four-in-hand work when the road coach or drag would be considered too “dressy.” This type of break was also known as a wagonette break. It was most often used with four horses, although in the country the unicorn team (three horses, one leader and two wheelers) was sometimes used. The break was a most spacious, roomy and useful carriage for station or other rough work. Here the seat length has been curtailed to make room for the additional forward-facing seat which is removable. This break was built by Brewster and Company of New York and the Webb coat-of-arms has been incorporated on either side in the center spindle. _Gift of the Webb family in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W. Seward Webb_ [Illustration: Photo above shows Dr. W Seward Webb with his son J. Watson Webb on the box with him, and his daughter Frederica on the side lengthwise seat. This picture of the body break was taken about 1886 or 1887 at Oakledge, the Webb home in Burlington, Vermont, before they moved to Shelburne.] [Illustration: In the photograph below, taken about 1903 at Shelburne Farms, the body break is harnessed with four of the first home-bred half-breed hackneys out of native mares.] CARRIAGES OF AMERICAN ORIGIN [Illustration] THREE-SEAT SURREY _Body painted dark green, green gear. Trimmed in tan canvas._