38 BRIDLING. 



One of the worst results to be dreaded from a horse 

 going long journeys daily, is fever in the feet (page 

 132), which may be obviated by stopping the fore feet 

 directly they are picked and washed out at the end of 

 each day's journey. — See page 13. 



After a long journey, it would be desirable to have 

 the animal's fore shoes at least removed. 



The saddle ought not to be taken off for some time 

 after work ; the longer it has been under the rider, and 

 the more severe the work, the longer, comparatively, 

 it should remain on after use, in order to avoid that 

 frightful result which is most like to ensue from its 

 being quickly removed — viz., sore back. With cavalry, 

 saddles are left on for an hour or more after the return 

 from a field-day or march. 



A numna or absorbing sweat-cloth under the saddle 

 is in cases of hard or continued work a great preserva- 

 tive against sore back. 



When an extraordinary day's work has been done, 

 after the horse is cleaned and fed he should be at once 

 bedded down, and left to rest in quiet, interrupted only 

 to be fed. 



BRIDLING. 



Every horseman before he mounts should observe 

 closely whether his horse is properly saddled and 

 bridled. 



Bits must be invariably of wrought steel, and the 

 mouthpiece in all bits should fit the horse's mouth 

 exactly in its width : the bit that is made to fit a six- 

 teen-hands-high is surely too large for a fourteen-hand 

 cob. The bit ought to lie just above the tusk in a 



