CARE OF SADDLERY. 229 



the saddle-room they will require very little attention ; 

 but if wet and dirty they must be sponged with yellow 

 soap and water, and then wiped as dry as possible ; after 

 which the leather will be much benefited by the ap- 

 plication of a little of the best neatsfoot oil, or white of 

 egg ; which should be well rubbed off in the course of 

 a few hours, with a leather kept for this especial pur- 

 pose. This should be done immediately the bits, stir- 

 rups, and girths are removed. The girths should be 

 well scraped and then scoured with soap and water 

 followed by pipeclay if white when they may be hung 

 up to dry. 



The stirrups, bits, &c., should be washed with water 

 immediately they are taken off, to remove all dirt, &c., 

 after which they should be rubbed dry with a cloth, 

 and then scoured with the hand and some fine silver 

 sand slightly wetted ; which should be removed by a 

 good rubbing with a dry cloth kept for the purpose ; 

 but on no account must the sand be washed off with 

 water, or rubbed off with oil, as the polish is soon lost 

 thereby ; but they may be polished with the burnishers 

 to give them a still brighter appearance. 



Both reins and saddles should be well rubbed with 

 a chamois-leather wrapper previous to being used; since 

 nothing is more nasty and disagreeable than a greasy 

 or sticky feel on them, even if not liable to soil. If 

 they are well rubbed until they fail to soil a clean 

 chamois-leather wrapper, all will be well. 



It will now be necessary for me to say a few words 

 in conclusion on certain duties that every groom will be 



