EXHIBITING. 599 



still, a cowardly jumper, for instance, may prove a lion with 

 a cocktail or two under his girths, and in default of legislation, 

 where and how are we to draw the line ? 



" Burrs " are never or should never be allowed in the 

 arena. They are useful and not necessarily cruel appliances 

 in themselves, but proof that the wearer is apt to lunge, 

 bore, drive on one rein, or play the fool in some way that 

 effectually extinguishes his show chances. 



Port bits should be condemned, and are seldom used. 

 Tight bearing-reins are just now a fad, but like everything 

 we do, we have run to extremes, and our horses' backbones 

 fairly creak so extreme is the elevation, while if thus hampered 

 it is simply impossible for them to " use their hocks," etc., as 

 they should. The matter of shoeing is different with each 

 subject. Some need weight in heel, some in toe ; some 

 very long toes all round, some long only in front, etc. 

 Experiment and observation will show what is needful, and 

 there are no hard and fast rules to apply. For hacks and 

 hunters, tips properly applied have always given the writer 

 best satisfaction. 



A show horse needs little or no exercise beyond leading in 

 hand for an hour daily. Everything depends upon his being 

 fresh and "above himself." Very rarely will his exertions in 

 the arena call for any genuine " condition " to carry him 

 through, and the average horse needs every ounce of flesh 

 he can carry to smooth over his bodily irregularities and 

 help his "conformation." One cannot keep show horses in 

 show form and use them also, and to that the mind must be 

 made up from the start. 



If the neophyte would court much vexation of spirit, 

 or if he yearns to tempt Fortune to the very limit, he may, if 



