86 



dust or mould removed, rub them dry. The oil should then be 

 applied with a sponge not too much saturated. It may be well to 

 have a curtain made to draw before the bridles when not wanted ; 

 this will keep off the dust, and prevent damp from affecting them 

 so much. 



All the saddle linings and clothing should be well beaten with a 

 stick once a week, so as to deter the moth from laying its eggs, and 

 also to get rid of the maggots after they are hatched. Dressing 

 with spirit of turpentine is partially effectual, but the most suc- 

 cessful plan is to keep all the saddlery which is not in use pinned 

 up in calico in such a Avay as mechanicall}^ to prevent the moths 

 from depositing their eggs. 



Deer's suet is an admirable preservative. When quite dry rub 

 them thoroughly with the suet, then pack them in an air-tight case. 

 Deer's suet may be obtained from any park-keeper where deer are 

 kept at from eightpence to a shilling a pound. In putting on the 

 suet warm it slightly, and rub in a small quantity with a piece of 

 flannel. 



EEARINa HORSE. 



There is a bit formed thus, which may be applied to a 

 ^^^^^ ^0m^ common bridle head-piece by the two side 



r^ v/ \^ rings, and a strap such as is used to a 

 I I noseband martingal fitted with a spring 



hook to the lower ring. No horse can rear 

 with this in his mouth, as the reverse part 

 catches on the tongue and lower jaw. A 

 common smith may make the bit — say 

 five inches in circumference, deep enough to hang free outside his 

 lower jaw. He may have this in his mouth in addition to the 

 usual bridle. 



SPOTS IN SADDLES. 



Spots caused by damp in saddles cannot be at once removed, but 

 by well rubbing the saddle with deer's suet, once or twice a week, 

 the}^ gradually disappear. 



STAINING SADDLES. 



No. 1. — Wash with a solution of soft soap, and when perfectly 

 dry (atmospherically) rub in lightly horse's blood. By these means 

 an uniform brown colour is produced, which is brought to a high 

 varnish by the blood. Using the blood is most efficacious after a 

 saddle and bridle have been exposed to rain. 



No. 2. — Wash well with brown or yellow (not black) soap, not 



S/ ^ 



TJ 



