60 Centaur ; 



These matters may appear very simple to the experienced, 

 or to the careless eye, hut the Author would argue that every 

 good huntsman knows the importance of true stirrup leathers 

 and level irons each side, not only for his comfort and 

 pleasure, but for the actual safety of his life ; thereby the 

 same rule more stricth'- applies to the most important duty in 

 "attaching the horse to the vehicle," viz., the draff. 



Where the hame tug Is at the reverse end of the traces, 

 the horse certainly is relieved of the weight ; but apart from 

 that consideration, it is an encumbrance, and somewhat un- 

 sightly ; as is any part of the harness not actually required 

 for immediate use. 



The Author would here suggest that the finishing touch 

 in " attaching the horse " should be, to see that its tail 

 rests in the crupper dock perfectly free from hair, no 

 bristles left between it and the " pad," by which title the 

 dock really should be known, it being made large, 

 thick, and filled with linseed; — not thin, wiry, and stufied 

 with paper. Hence the oily and healing nature of the humane 

 dock, as invented by the Author. 



Few horsemen or drivers would knowingly permit the 

 animal in their charge to work one hour in pain, particularly 

 if they had the remedy at hand, yet, many horses toil the 

 whole day in actual agony ; and submit to labour, under 

 protest as it were, from sheer good temper and obedient 

 disposition. 



How frequently do we see not only marks, but scars and 

 raw places under various parts of the harness, wounds which 

 are frequently caused through carelessness and want of the 

 observant eye in the attaching of the horse to the vehicle, 

 and its afterwards working away, up hill and down, loaded 

 or unloaded, in all weathers, without an occasional notice 

 on the part of the driver, or re-adjustment of the different 

 items of the set which may appear necessary. Some horses 

 are punished into an habitual ^' protest,'^ such as biting and 

 snapping with the teeth, scraping with the feet, or 

 starting and stopping without orders, or by sudden and 

 dangerous jerks. All these signs are weighed over by the 

 careful horseman, and he soon discovers the cause, and 

 in five cases out of six he will effect the cure, at very little 

 inconvenience or expense, 



