t 



linseed is preferable, being of an oily and softening nature, 

 and permanent. Candles have been used, hence the 

 term — "a candle dock." When the saddle is drawn up 

 and placed properly upon the back, the attention should 

 be directed to the pannel stuffing, the thickness of which 

 is reduced after a few journeys in a new saddle ; and it 

 should never be allowed to come down thin enough for 

 the tree to touch the horse in an old saddle. Occasional 

 back-stuffing or examination at the hands of the manu- 

 facturer is advisable, particularly in worn saddles ; and 

 the wool should be renewed by taking out the old and 

 knotty parts, caused by perspiration, or re-lined when 

 necessary. 



The Girth should be buckled close but not tight, and 

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

 the girth body, which rule as regards the straps applies 

 to sets of all kinds. Nothing looks more untidy than a 

 lot of strapping ends hanging and flapping about, (to wit — 

 the ends of the traces, if too long) besides being irritating 

 to the horse. The belly-band, which is part of the back- 

 band, should not be buckled until the vehicle is attached. 

 The saddle must never be pressed too forward, because it 

 naturally works in that direction. It is easily and nicely 

 adjusted by loosing out or taking up the crupper strap. 



The Collar should now be put on the horse 

 after turning his head from the mangfer towards the door. 

 In new collars it is often necessary to open or widen them 

 a little across the part that is 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, too much 

 pulling is calculated to put it out of shape, which, if once 

 broken at the throat, will never recover its original firmness. 



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