IN AUSTRAL AFRICA. T>°S 



between Dutch and barb progenitors, for they have 

 more or less, the marked external characteristics in 

 form, of both. Although this breed seldom exceeds 

 fourteen and a-half hands in height, they are won- 

 derful weight carriers, very good tempered, and 

 remarkably easy in gait, all great advantages in the 

 hunting veldt. Their withers, however, frequently 

 appear disproportionately high, their necks unusually 

 long, with an ungainly falling off towards the rump ; 

 but if they are able and willing to do the work 

 demanded of them, what does this matter ? It is a 

 common expression in interior South Africa, " never 

 buy a big horse if you can get a little un ; " and in 

 this expression there is a great deal of truth, as I 

 myself have proved. But here are my stud, three 

 in number, waiting for their morning feed of soaked 

 mealies, each shaking with impatience his empty 

 nosebag, in which their muzzles have passed the pre- 

 ceding night. Why so ? may be asked. To keep 

 them from inhaling the night air, for the canvas bag 

 acts as a respirator, and as such I have found it useful 

 and a great preventive to horse sickness, one of the 

 most fatal diseases that this family is subject to in 

 any land. 



A quarter of a patent bucket of swollen corn is 

 given each morning and evening, and, when not 

 required for use during the day, the nags are turned 

 loose till near sundown under the charge of one of 

 the boys, to enable them to fill their stomachs with 



x 



