16 THE CARE OF HORSES 



and shy about his head.' With a good firm push, it 

 is soon on ; then the bridle. If the horse has a fore- 

 lock, don't pull it out over the frontal band ; leave it 

 straight and neat under it. Now put the saddle-pad 

 rather far back, and carefully lift the horse's tail 

 and put on the crupper, drawing all stray tail-hairs 

 into place. Shift the saddle-pad into place and 

 fasten the girth. Get your reins straight and even ; 

 draw the buckle-ends through the terrets, or rings, on 

 the pad and harness ; buckle them, near side first, to 

 the bit, and be very careful the reins are not twisted ; 

 leave them loose enough so as not to drag on the 

 bit, and lay the long end across the horse's back, 

 as shown in Fig. 6, or draw them through one 

 of the terrets. Dust all lightly with a finishing 

 touch. Water-brush the mane and tail, as you did 

 when dressing him. Hitch him to the pillar-reins- 

 and get out your trap ; dust it over, arrange the rug, 

 put in the whip, and then lead out your horse and 

 ' put him to.' 



Don't back him right in between the shafts, but 

 only until his heels are near the points of them ; 

 take the near-side shaft, and raising it, draw the 

 trap towards the horse, slipping the shafts into their 

 place as you do so. Fix the traces and the belly- 

 band. Leave this slack, so that the shafts get a little 

 play and keep the weight off the horse's back — it is 

 easier for horse and driver too ; and then fasten the 

 kicking-strap — and don't have that tight either — or 

 the breeching, whichever it may be. Throw a rug 

 lightly over the loins, if there is any time to spare, 

 and there ought to be. 



Always stand directly in front of a horse, so that 

 he can see you. If he is fidgety take the reins on 

 both sides close to the bit in your hands, and lightly 

 play the bit in his mouth, all the while soothing his 

 impatience by speaking to him. Never jerk and tug 



