i62 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



possible. At any rate many of them will . The first 

 time the master sees his instructions in this matter 

 disobeyed he should speak in no uncertain manner 

 about it. It is only by the display of firmness 

 that he will ensure obedience in those little things 

 which do not seem so much in themselves but 

 the neglect of which has often serious conse- 

 quences. The fitting up of the saddle room 

 with saddles, bridles, and harness requires great 

 care or there may be a considerable amount of 

 money wasted. The tendency of a beginner is to 

 buy a good few things he does not want or which, 

 when he has had them a short time, he will 

 throw aside as useless. So when a man is be- 

 ginning as a horse owner he will do well to buy 

 his saddlery as he wants it ; he will soon get to 

 know what he requires. But he will do well 

 not to listen too much to his groom. Grooms 

 frequently have a way of buying many un- 

 necessary things when their masters have to pay 

 for them. 



Exercising saddles and bridles and leading 

 bridles will be necessary. An old saddle will do 

 well for exercising and it is cheaper and better 

 to buy a useful second-hand saddle for this 

 purpose than to buy a common cheap one. For 

 though the exercising saddle will seldom be worn 

 without a rug underneath it and though the 

 horse is never likely to sweat hard when he wears 

 it, it is just as well to have it an approximately 

 good fit. I say approximately for reasons which 

 will hereafter appear. A thick plain smooth 



