178 THE COMPLETE HORSEMAN 



horse than is absolutely necessary. Either brass 

 or silver-plated mountings are advisable — per- 

 sonally I prefer brass. The harness should fit 

 the horse exactly or you will have a lot of trouble 

 with sore shoulders and backs, which are a cease- 

 less cause of annoyance with ill-fitting harness. 



The Coach House should be handy to the 

 saddle room — and should be dry and airy. There 

 should be a good stove in it which should be lit 

 in damp weather, and care should be taken to 

 keep the coach house well aired in fine weather. 

 It is a good plan to run the carriages out on a fine 

 clear day, taking care that they are not placed 

 in too hot a sun. They should also be occasionally 

 polished with a wash-leather when they are not 

 in constant use. 



Unless it is very late when the carriage comes 

 in it should be cleaned then and there. Dirt 

 should never be allowed to dry on the harness. 

 It is only a few minutes' work to take the rough 

 dirt off ; and it is always time saved to get work 

 done when it requires doing instead of putting it 

 on one side for a more convenient occasion. 



