136 ' MISCELLANEOUS. 



tugs will allow, and he has no control of the wagon at all; 

 it comes on his heels necessarily, and what follows ? 

 Either a kicking scrape, upset, run away, or smash-up 

 generally. Very few attach any importance to this strap, 

 therefore I mention it. 



Again : a gentleman driving his wife and family 

 (within a few days), although everything was new, at the 

 top of a long hill, going slowly down, the hook, or 

 connecting iron between the saddle and crupper, broke, 

 the iron broke, it was fastened to the saddle by a rivet 

 one-eighth of an inch thick that was made of cast-iron, 

 and having an unseen flaw, broke; consequence, breeching 

 dropped on the horse's heels; then he commenced to 

 kick and run, and the whole family were more or less in- 

 jured, the lady, it is feared, will never recover. I men- 

 tion this to show the importance of having reliable tackle ; 

 without it you are never safe, especially in a hilly country. 

 A good plan is to have two short straps from back strap 

 attached to the side of your saddle ; in that case, if rivet or 

 anything about it breaks, the straps keep all in place. 



TO KEEP HARNESS OR BRIDLES IN ORDER. 



They should be wiped off with a damp sponge every 

 morning, and then with a sponge filled with the heavy 

 suds of Castile soap (I don't mean the light soap-suds) ; 

 squeeze that out and rub more soap in the sponge, until 

 the suds are thick ; rub or polish all the leather over with 

 that, especially in and about all the buckles and billets 

 (all over), it will give the leather a nice polish, and keep 

 it soft. Twice a year harness should be greased with neat's- 

 foot oil, if to be had ; if not, whale oil (sperm). Of bits, 

 stirrups, and spurs: if of steel, wip? dry after use, and 

 rub with an oiled rag, sweet oil ; if of brass, use rotten- 

 stone and any acid. 



