HUNTERS 153 



the manes of hunters. Although such a practice 

 may be deplored as against all the canons of art, 

 which demand graceful, flowing lines, and not 

 trim, straight ones beloved of dwellers in suburban 

 villas, every one is entitled to follow the dictates 

 of his own taste, and alter the scheme of Nature 

 in any fashion that gives him pleasure. In this 

 case it is so contrary to the owner's own interest 

 to disobey Nature's laws that possibly when this 

 fact is grasped the poor horses may cease to be 

 subjected to a fashion which causes them great 

 discomfort, and even danger. A mane is provided 

 by Nature as a thatch to the vertebrae of the neck, 

 off which the rain will run ; and which will 

 serve as a shade from the summer's sun, and thus 

 prevent sunstroke. To obviate the latter, after 

 first carefully removing what Nature had provided, 

 some thoughtful owners proceed next to purchase 

 sun-bonnets for their horses, which are not nearly 

 so effective as the mane they have done away 

 with, and bear a ludicrous resemblance to a Red 

 Indian in his war-paint and feathers. The 

 greatest inconvenience, however, is caused by the 

 rain, which, instead of running off as it should 

 do, is enabled to penetrate to the very roots of 

 the hair, and cause a serious chill, besides dis- 

 comfort. No animals can be expected to thrive 

 properly under such conditions. The mountain 

 galloways are accustomed to run out on the fells 

 thi'oughout the roughest storms, but they have 

 thick, shaggy manes, which are like great coats 

 to them, and if deprived of these they would 

 succumb immediately. As a personal matter also, 

 few riders are so secure in their seats they are not 

 glad sometimes to have a mane to clutch hold of, 

 when a bad scramble occurs, and thus save an 



