THE CARE OF STEELS. 



521 



THE CARE OF STEELS. 



All steel work, such as pole-tops, pole-chains, 

 bits, curb-chains, stirrups, etc., should be kept 

 free from rust and brightly burnished. The 

 method of preserving steels in this condition is 

 as follows : Scour the metal with damp silver 

 sand, cleaning joints and corners with an old strip 

 of chamois or small, sharp pointed piece of wood. 

 After all rust, dirt, etc., have been removed rinse 

 the metal in clean water and dry with a chamois, 

 then polish the surface with a burnisher. (See 

 Figs. 229, 230.) Bits and stirrups should be re- 

 moved as soon as the horse returns to the stable, 

 and placed in a pail of clean water until they can 

 be cared for. Pole-chains may be brightened by 

 placing them in a burnishing bag (see Fig. 231) or 

 in a rubbing cloth, and taking an end of the bag 

 or cloth in each hand, revolve it with a circular 

 motion from the knees to the left side, over the 

 head, and down on the other side. All burnished 

 steel should be as bright, if not brighter, than 

 polished silver. After the steels are burnished they 

 may be protected from the action of dampness by 

 rubbing them over with a cloth on which a little 

 sweet oil has been placed. Very little oil should 

 be used, not enough to leave a mark on the 

 fingers. When steels are to be stored away Fia 229> 

 for any length of time they may be protected 

 from rust by placing them in a box of bran or powdered 

 lime. 







