OR, The Turn Out. 61 



To learn if " all is easy," place the hand under the saddle 

 or pad, lift the bridle-head from pressing around the ears, 

 wipe as it were through the underside of the top of the 

 collar and around the throat inside, or ease the belly-band 

 and dock, and re-adjust the curb, if one is worn, and at all 

 times raise the weight from the horse's back when on the 

 road, by leaning backwards or forwards, if driving, or if 

 walking at the oide, lift up the shafts, when the load is on 

 the same ; and it will be found that such small attentions 

 as these may appear to be are most effective with the horse, 

 and a great source of pleasure and satisfaction to the 

 horseman, who is fully and promptly repaid by the ready 

 appreciation of the animal under his protection, which 

 latter may be the actual bread winner. 



The horse's skin is doubly sensitive to chafing and galling 

 during wet seasons and persistent rainy weather; therefore 

 at these times more care and attention to cleanliness is 

 necessary on the part of the groom. 



Neglect means cruelty ; and the old saying here applies, 

 " Prevention is better than cure." 



To cure occasional sores, which may be caused whilst the 

 horse is in the shafts, let the first attention in the stable be, 

 to clean the hair away from the wound with a pair of 

 scissors, wash the sore, and gently rub with a lather of 

 water and black soap, after which an application of salt and 

 water, well dissolved, and left to dry itself, is an old 

 and effectual remedy, and a simple preliminary "stitch 

 in time." 



Of course the above prescription will not cure defects in 

 the formation of the shafts ; which may be too narrow, and 

 thus cause a sore; or injury may arise through misfittino- 

 harness; but these items can easily be discovered, and pointed 

 out to the coach- builder, or saddler, as the case may be, 

 and if these persons are only consulted in time, serious 

 accidents may be prevented. 



It is a dangerous practice to unbuckle the driving rein 

 billetts before taking the horse out of the shafts, thereby 

 losing control of the animal somewhat; the breech-band 

 or kicking strap (whichever worn) should always be released 

 first, then the belly-band and traces. The occasional mention 



