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UNHARNESSING. 



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

 No doubt there may be a few rough and ready 

 readers of the above title who would ask or put 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 unburdening 

 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, there is at least a certain 

 amount of judgment and consideration 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, in undressing or taking a set of 

 harness off a horse, to commence at the driving rein 

 billetts, by unbuckling the same from the bit, and bringing 

 them back to the hind part or territt of the saddle. The 

 writer's advice is that both time is lost and unnecessary 

 pimisJwient is inflicted upon the horse by so doing. 



If the girth be 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 has the double effect of easing the dock of the 

 crupper from the root of the tail, particularly if the saddle 

 be slightly moved backward, say a few inches, as it should 

 be in all cases and circumstances, whether after riding, 



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