Some Remarks on Saddlery 



tionally hard ground in October will keep your 

 horse back. 



A racecourse (if permission is allowed), downs, 

 common, or heath are best for conditioning horses, 

 the exact spot to be changed about occasionally. 

 There are various ideas re clipping ; in many cases 

 this is not done until the coat is set. Oftentimes 

 the coat is removed early and at regular intervals ; 

 then there is less risk of chill. It is an open 

 question whether the saddle-mark is to be clipped 

 or not. If the hair is left under the saddle to 

 prevent sore backs, care should be taken to dry 

 this thoroughly each day after hunting. The 

 clipping of legs varies in different countries, and is 

 ruled by fashion. Hair left on legs is a great 

 protective against thorns, and in limestone countries, 

 including Ireland, it forms a preventive to mud 

 fever. 



As to hunting saddles and their concomitant 



parts, the makers in London and elsewhere are 



legion. It goes without saying a saddle to fit 



properly should have an equal bearing on the 



animal's back. A saddle may, of course, fit two or 



three horses. In the case of ladies' saddles, horses 



to carry ladies should be exercised in them during 



September and October. Of numnahs there are 



several varieties ; a leather one is best, and they 



should be kept soft by rubbing on saddle side with 



tallow. Ladies' saddles are often best with a felt or 



6s E 



