STABLES AND STABLE MANAGEMENT 103 



precaution should be taken in order to guard against 

 the slightest risk of fire. We have no objection to 

 grooms smoking 'in the saddle-room, even while at 

 work, but a pipe in the stable should be strictly for- 

 bidden. 



Before quitting the stable for the saddle-room, we 

 will give our judgment on horse-clothing. As we are 

 writing about hunting, we presume that the horse has 

 been clipped and singed, i.e. that his natural clothing 

 has been removed; and we take this opportunity of 

 stating that we disagree with the habit of leaving the 

 " saddle " of the horse undipped. The habit promotes 

 heat, and consequent soreness of back. A good saddle 

 should require neither a natural nor an artificial 

 saddle - cloth. We have to provide the horse with 

 artificial clothing, made of kerseymere. The colour 

 and pattern are, of course, matters for the master's 

 taste, in the same way as the colour and pattern of 

 his own clothes are; but, like his own clothes, the 

 clothing of his horse should fit well. This statement 

 may appear to be an unnecessary aphorism, but, un- 

 fortunately, few saddlers take the trouble to fit a 

 horse. It may be their incompetence, or it may be 

 their laziness, but the fact remains that horse-cloth- 

 ing is seldom made to fit properly. How often do we 

 see sore withers and ugly bare spots caused by badly- 

 fitting clothing ! Especial care should be taken to 

 see that the clothiDg fits well round the chest where 

 the buckles meet. A full suit of kerseymere, including 

 hood, quarter-sheet, pad, roller, and fillet strings, can 

 be bought for £4, 4s. Initials will be extra. The 

 underclothing should consist of ordinary fawn striped 



