i6o THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



Not only docs it look bad, but in the long run 

 it is highly injurious to saddlery, for the various 

 articles to be stuck about in any corner until 

 wanted. I remember visiting one establish- 

 ment where on the saddle rack one saddle was 

 piled on the top of another, there to remain until 

 required. Needless to say those saddles were 

 not in a very satisfactory condition. 



vSaddle racks enough for all the saddles of the 

 establishment are an absolute necessity. I have 

 seen saddle racks which would hold three or four 

 saddles one behind the other. At each end of 

 these saddle racks were legs which turned under 

 them on a hinge and could be fastened back. 

 These saddle racks were suspended from the 

 ceihng with pulleys. When lowered the legs were 

 turned down and they made a good saddle stand. 

 With all their advantages, and they are many, I 

 cannot say that I care much for them. Certainly 

 they ensure the panels of the saddles being 

 thoroughly dried and aired and when they are 

 swung up to the ceiling they are nicely out of the 

 way. But when used as a saddle stand they 

 seemed to me clumsy and inconvenient and they 

 occupy far more space than is necessary. I prefer 

 iron to wood for saddle racks as with iron there 

 is better ventilation. It is well that the saddle 

 racks should be placed where the reflection of the 

 fire is on them and they should be in such a place 

 that the saddles can easily be inspected which 

 should be done periodically and frequently. 

 Saddles should always be thoroughly dried before 



