598 EXHIBITING. 



sonally it has always seemed best to go over the road if a 

 matter of thirty miles or less. Horses take no harm, and 

 are saved the shipping risks always impending; the expense 

 is less, while time is of little consequence. The heavy 

 shoes, if worn, should be most carefully fitted, and always 

 used at least a few times before showing. Much grief has 

 been caused by neglecting such precautions, or by finding 

 collar too small, check the wrong length, back-strap too 

 short, brow-band narrow, etc., on entering the arena. Balk- 

 ing, kicking, " making a noise," etc., in the ring are fre- 

 quently caused by lack of attention to these details. A 

 pair will sometimes be coupled wrong also, and new and 

 slippery reins and gloves have more than once afforded a 

 combination that has resulted in disaster. 



Of course a competent and trustwortliy man will be in 

 charge of show horses, and if he is that, he will properly 

 care for them en route, and on arrival. Change of water 

 may make slight trouble, and if the horse is used to " soft 

 water" care should be taken that he is so provided, and that 

 the hard variety is softened for him ; but, in his robust 

 health, there is little to fear from such changes. Show 

 buildings are apt to be draughty and ill-ventilated, and 

 animals should be kept well covered and protected. 



Stimulants and " soothing syrups " are more frequently 

 used than the general public believes, but rarely do any good. 

 While generally condemned, it is not certain that this prac- 

 tice is always reprehensible, for a drink of whiskey or sherry 

 to a faint-hearted brute may make all the difference between 

 defeat and victory. Incidents have occurred in nearly all our 

 show rings directly traceable to " dope " and drugs. No nov- 

 ice should use any such thing, no decent man will use drugs ; 



