72 



Centaur ; 



UNHARNESSING AND CLEANING. ■ 



** I rather tell thee what is to be fear'd." 



doubt there may be a few rougb and 

 ready readers of the above title wbo 

 would ask the question — " What art 

 can there be in taking a set of harness 

 off a horse ? " or say — *' I can soon rip 

 it off, and without any ceremony/' The 

 writer would answer — If there is no art 

 in the business of releasing or unburden- 

 ing a horse with the easiest and quietest 

 despatch, after its hard day's work, or 

 perhaps after a long and tedious journey 

 under the broiling sun or drenching 

 rain, there is at least a certain amount of judgment and con- 

 sideration necessary ; and it is, therefore, the successful 

 horse-keeper's rule that a certain system shall be laid down 

 and regularly adhered to. 



It is the general practice, in fact it may be said to be the 

 universal custom, when undressing or taking a set of harness 

 off a horse, to coimnence at the driving rein billetts, by un- 

 buckling the same from the bit and bringing them back 

 to the hind part or territt of the saddle. 



The writer's opinion is that time is lost and unnecessary 

 punishment is inflicted upon the horse by so doing. 



If the girth he first unbuckled, it has the immediate effect 

 of releasing the pressure of the saddle from the horse's back, 

 and allowing a gentle current of air to pass under the same 

 without fear of chill or other consequences ; and it also has 

 the efiect of easing the dock of the crupper from the root 

 of the tail, particularly if the saddle be slightly moved back- 

 ward, say a few inches (as it should be in all cases and under 

 all circumstances, whether after riding, driving, or carting), 

 a little while at least before taking the saddle and crupper 

 finally from the horse's back. The heated parts are thus 

 gradually cooled and relieved without the risk which attends 

 the instantaneous removal of the saddle. Prompt removal 

 of the saddle invariably follows the system of unbuckling 

 first of the set, the billetts at the bit, which bad method, or 

 want of thought, is alone responsible for the many sore and 



