MANAGEMENT OF HORSES IN THE OPEN. I45 



tied together to make it this pattern. The proper lejtgth of a heel rope iheXcngth. 

 is from the heel to the heel peg in a straight line, when the horse is of heel 

 " standing up," with his head directly over the picket line or head peg, ropes, 

 and no longer. The distance between the picket line and the heel pegs Distance 

 may vary from three to five yards according to the size of the horse, between 

 twelve to thirteen feet being sufficient for all ordinary size troop horses, head and 

 A gangway of at least five yards width between the horses' heads should heel pegs, 

 be left. The interval between horses depends upon the space available, 

 the minimum being five feet. 



Picketed according to the above directions, a horse can perform all 

 movements necessary to his well-being, and cannot, as a rule, injure 

 himself or his neighbours. Giving him further latitude is inviting 

 disaster. 



Shackles are of several patterns : — (i) A simple loop of leather which shackles, 

 is passed over the foot, slipped round the pastern or above the fetlock, and 

 secured there by a thong. This is an excellent pattern, may be adjusted 

 tight or slack as required, and is not liable to cause injury itself. 



(2) Straps and buckles^ sometimes lined with numnah to prevent straps and 

 chafing, are of several different varieties. They all have one common buckles, 

 fault, viz., the tongue of the buckle is likely to tear through the strap 



holes, unless the leather is very strong and heavy. Where there is a 

 guard under the buckle, to prevent it galling the skin, care must be taken 

 not to double it under when adjusting. Numnah linings are not very 

 satisfactory, they soak up wet, and retain gritty mud, which dries hard 

 and rough. 



(3) Hook a?2d eye pattern. — These fastenings are of metal, and are Hook 

 attached to the leather work by rivets. No riveted fastenings are and eye 

 satisfactory ; they are liable to work loose, and as the leather shrinks pattern, 

 away from them, project on the inner side, and gall the skin. Metal 

 hooks and eyes are so frequently strained or closed, that they either fall 

 undone or become impossible to fasten. 



(4) Button and eye pattern. — A loop of leather or webbing, one end of Button 

 which is doubled into an eye, and the other gathered into a toggle or and eye 

 button. So long as the button and loop fit well, this is a good pattern, pattern, 

 but they are apt to stretch, get loose, and come undone too easily. A 

 variety of this pattern, made of many strands of soft string (sootlee), 



is a favourite shackle in India, particularly for young horses likely to be 

 restive ; it is hght and soft, so does not hurt them, even if they struggle, 

 but it does not wear very long. 



A oood shackle of whatever pattern should present a smooth surface a good 

 to the skin, have a secure fastening, and not be so heavy that its weight shackle, 

 (b 10948) K 



