5 8 THR O UGH STABLE A ND SADDLE-R O OM. 



uncomfortable to the poor horse, is always getting 

 displaced, and probably causes a sore wither, or, 

 at least, rubs a bare spot on the shoulder points, 

 added to which it looks beastly and unsportsman- 

 like. Yet, if the prices of the two men are com- 

 pared, the difference will not be found to be so very 

 great ; while for wearing qualities, of course the 

 former has immeasurably the best of it, because, 

 fitting the horse properly as it does, there is no 

 undue strain upon any one part of it. Of course, 

 there are provincial saddlers who can cut a quar- 

 ter-sheet properly, but they are by no means 

 numerous. 



A quarter-sheet is most frequently made in one 

 piece to buckle round in front of the horse's chest ; 

 but it is a better plan to have a separate breast- 

 piece — it is warmer, and is not so apt to wear out 

 either the horse or itself. All rugs have a tendency 

 to work back, and this being so, the reason why 

 a breast-piece is more advantageous is obvious. 

 Horses very often get severely cut and galled in 

 the withers from a quarter-sheet being improperly 

 made, and such sores take some time in healinof. 



o 



Fillet-strings are usually made of braid of the 

 same colours as those in the clothino-, and are 

 plaited in a hollow round plait. They are fastened 

 to loops on the quarter-sheet, and are used for the 



