266 



HORSE AND MAN. 



EXCEPT that ' hogging ' the mane is a shameful 

 disfigurement of the horse, it does no harm. But 

 when man deals with the tail, a very different verdict 

 must be given. The tail, as the Creator made it, is 

 shown in the figure called ' Nature,' on p. 200. One 

 of its uses is obviously to act as a whisk, and drive 

 away the flies which irritate the sensitive skin of the 

 animal, especially in hot weather ; and that it is an 

 ornamental appendage, without 

 which the form of the horse 

 would be incomplete, is evident 

 to any but the professional eye. 

 Some years ago, while en- 

 gaged in making out the heads 

 of this work, I gathered to- 

 gether some notes under the 

 title of 'Exploded Fashions.' 

 Those which refer to the tail 

 are as follows : ' Bang-tail, cock-tail, dock-tail, nick- 

 tail.' With the greatest regret I have seen these 

 exploded fashions creeping slowly but surely back 

 again. The tail, which some years ago was allowed 

 to preserve its natural and beautiful form, has been 

 gradually shortened. 



The result comes from the rivalry of grooms and 

 coachmen. While driving, especially in places of 

 fashionable resort, they naturally inspect the horses 



TAIL DOCKED AND 

 NICKED. 



