OR, The Turn Out. 45 



Occasional back-stiifSng and examination at the hands of the 

 manufacturer is advisable, particularly in worn saddles ; and 

 the wool should be renewed by taking out the old and knotty 

 parts, caused by perspiration, or the pannel re-lined when 

 necessary. The writer has supplied harness without the 

 crupper-dock, &c., &c., but that extreme requires judgment 

 and extra care on the part of the horse-owner and driver. 



The Girth should be buckled close but not tight, and the 

 end of the girth strap run thorough the three loops in the 

 girth body, and not left to swing about, which rule as regards 

 the straps applies to all parts of the harness, and to sets of all 

 kinds. Nothing looks more untidy than a lot of strapping 

 ends hanging and flapping about. The ends of the traces, il 

 too long, besides being irritating to the horse, are a great 

 eyesore to the " Turn Out.'* The belly band, which is part 

 of the backhand, should not be buckled until the vehicle is 

 attached, and then not too tight. The saddle must never be 

 pressed forward, because it naturally works in that direction. 

 It is easily and nicel}^ adjusted by loosing out or taking up 

 the crupper-strap. 



The Collar should now be put upon the horse's neck, 

 after turning his head from the manger towards the door, if 

 in the stable. With new collars it is often necessary to open 

 or widen them a little across the part which has to pass over 

 the eyes, which should be done with the knee, and not by 

 placing the collar upon a post, or hook — in fact, the writer 

 has seen the handiest nail turned to account for that purpose, — 

 which not only scratches and damages the collar, but too 

 much pulling is calculated to put it out of shape, and if 

 once broken at the throat, it will never recover its original 

 hrmness, hence the failure in open-topped collars. 



Before putting the collar on, it should be formally shewn 

 to the horse, and a little conversation introduced, including the 

 mention of the animal's name, and a few pats upon the neck, or, 

 to use a military term — to make ''much of him," particularly if 

 a young horse; which is done in less time than it takes to write 

 it, and thereby does not mean much loss, but an actual saving 

 of time. By such little attentions the help and assistance of the 

 horse is being asked (the result of which is very noticeable in 

 well-regulated stables), and is never refused by a horse that 

 has been properly appealed to, and systematically trained. 

 For putting the collar on the neck, it is first turned upside 

 down, with the wale (or rim) towards the fitter, and when it is 

 close to the eyes of the horse, it should never hepui^hed uj) with 



