288 APRONS AND WATERPROOF COVERINGS. 



less the robe is to be used for driving trips, etc., the addition 

 of a flap and pockets at the upper end is a needless extrava- 

 gance. At one time silver disks, four inches or more in 

 diameter, with the monogram, were placed on the upper 

 centre part of the heavy robes* and were considered the 

 " proper thing," but they, together with fancy stitching and 

 monograms, are now not so generally used, being merely for 

 show and rather ostentatious. 



APRONS. 



Aprons must be considered distinct from robes, as the 

 former are for the personal use of the owner when driving 

 and are cut with a view to rendering them especially con- 

 venient under such conditions. Coaching aprons hardly 

 reach below the middle of the shin bone. In the waterproof 

 patterns there are usually placed loops by means of which 

 a strap buckling around the waist is held in place. A very 

 serviceable wet weather apron is made of a soft dark water- 

 proof material with a woollen lining. 



WATERPROOF COVERINGS. 



Waterproof coverings for horses are made chiefly of 

 rubber or mackintosh material and in three forms : (i ) those 

 that are cut similar to the ordinary blanket; (2) those which 

 are made to extend over the neck ; and (3) those that are 

 made in two pieces, one being the same as a blanket and the 

 other piece fastened to the crown-piece and covering the 

 neck to the withers where it overlaps the body covering. 

 All openings through which the harness passes and the straps 

 which hold the waterproof in place should be strongly braced 

 and bound. The black mackintosh material presents a 

 neater appearance than the glossy surface cf plain rubber 



