HARNESS 357 



In our experience saw-dust is preferable to moss. Saw-dust is both 

 the cheaper and the cleaner material, and although the moss manure is the 

 more valuable, this latter ^Joint is not an equivalent to the former points; 

 besides which, saw-dust seems to have a less injurious effect on the hoof. 



Mill-dust. — In some districts mill-dust is used for bedding purposes, 

 but it has little besides its low price to recommend it. According to some 

 authorities, horses bedded with it become infested with lice; but there are 

 no reliable data proving that its use in any way favours the propagation 

 of lice. 



Dried bracken, in districts where it can be obtained, makes a very 

 good, cheap, and useful bedding, but of course its use is limited to those 

 localities where it grows. 



The leaves in wooded districts are collected when dry, and when better 

 litter is scarce or unattainable they form a useful substitute. 



Sand. — At sea-side places another material sometimes used is sand. 

 It seems to answer fairly well, and it has certainly the merit of being 

 cheap. 



HARNESS 



Everyone who has charge of a horse should be thoroughly conversant 

 with the use of every part of the harness and know how to adjust it, and 

 every driver or rider should make it a rule before starting to see that the 

 harness fits properly, and that every part of it is safe and sound. If this 

 were strictly adhered to, accidents would be much fewer than they are. 

 AVhile all parts of the harness are of importance, some are more so than 

 others; thus the reins and bridle are of primary importance, then come the 

 traces, back-strap, breeching, kicking-strap, &c. At the same time every 

 part should be of strong, light, and good material, well made, suitable for 

 its purpose, and free from superfluities. AVith uncertain liorses the danger 

 of using anything but perfectly-fitting harness of best leather and work- 

 manship is obvious, but with any horse the consequences of using defective 

 harness may be very serious. A broken rein has led to many a runaway, 

 and a broken breeching to many a kicking-bout. 



And important as is the quality of the harness its fit is almost equally 

 so, for a badly-fitting bridle may Ije a cause of bolting, a badly-fitting 

 saddle of kicking, and a badly-fitting collar of jibbing. The necessity of 

 perfect quality, suitability, and fit in harness cannot be too strongly urged. 



Bits. — The bit is a most important part of the harness, and upon its 

 appropriate selection and accurate adjustment much depends. Every horse 

 should be carefully fitted with, the bit most suitable for him if he is to 

 do his work with comfort and to give his driver pleasure and his owner 



