I04 THE HORSE 



not be covered and his forward vision will not be inter- 

 fered with. A big, heavy, close-fitting blinder, such 

 as is often used, is a most unsightly and really a cruel 

 device, especially uncomfortable to the horse in hot 

 weather. A large blinder like this is often used on 

 carriage horses with the idea that it makes the animal's 

 head look small and therefore gives him a better-bred 

 appearance. There is no cruelty which fashion will 

 not practice if it conduces to the pride or vanity of the 

 owner. 



Most horses will act better and feel better without 

 blinders, but some few horses undoubtedly shy more 

 with an open bridle than with blinders, and an open 

 bridle will often make a lazy horse more lazy. 



It is a question, too, if a bad, nagging driver will 

 not worry the horse more if the horse has an open 

 bridle. The less a horse sees of that kind of driver, 

 the better. 



Shying horses may be divided into two classes, those 

 who are frightened by sounds, and those who are 

 frightened by sights. A horse that is frightened by 

 sounds and not much by sights will always be safer in 

 an open bridle. In fact, many nervous horses wear- 

 ing blinders will jump and shy at every sound behind 

 them, whereas, if their vision is not obstructed by 

 blinders, they will not be frightened by any sound. 

 On the other hand, some horses that do not care much 

 for sounds but are terrified by things that they see will 

 be safer with blinders than without them; but these 

 cases are infrequent. 



A horse that has to do much backing, such as a coal 



