SULKY— SUN- BONNE TS 



Sulky is the name applied to the two-wheeled vehicle 

 used in trotting races. It only provides accommodation, in 

 the form of a very small seat, for one person, who sits with 

 his feet supported on the ends of the shafts on each side of 

 the horse. Sulkies for racing purposes have small wheels 

 fitted with pneumatic tyres, (See Trotter.) 



Summering. — Many owners make it a practice of turn- 

 ing their horses out to grass for a short time every summer, 

 and it is a general custom amongst hunting men to do so, 

 but opinions differ greatly as regards the wisdom of the 

 proceeding. It is at all events very doubtful indeed whether 

 horses which are only out for a short time do not derive 

 more benefit from being summered in a straw yard or 

 spacious box, in which they can get plenty of air and shade, 

 and be beyond the persecution of flies which attack them 

 in the pastures. They certainly lose the advantage of 

 getting the dew upon their feet, though if this is desired they 

 can be turned out of a night and brought in when morning 

 comes ; but their feet can be kept pleasantly cool if their box 

 is covered with tan, which can be kept damp, and if it is 

 thought necessary the yard outside may be spread with 

 clay. If so, the latter must be kept wet during the hot 

 weather, otherwise it will bake as hard as bricks. Of course, 

 too, the horses must receive a liberal allowance of cut grass 

 at this time, though a little hay and corn should also be given. 

 (See Turning Out.) 



Sun-bonnets are often provided by the owners of horses 

 for the use of their animals in the hot weather, but with 

 very doubtful advantage to their wearers, as the designs of 

 most of these encumbrances are altogether wrong. Most 

 sun-bonnets are made to lie flat to the poll, and so prevent 

 any air from reaching this part, the result being that the 

 good intentions of tender - hearted owners are entirely 

 frustrated, as the horses' heads are kept hotter than they 

 would otherwise have been. 



331 



