74 CENTi^uR : 



tlie corner playing with a whip top. The buckec of corn 

 and trestle were upset, and away went the animal with the 

 bridle dangling between its legs, and there being no possible 

 chance of controlling the bare-headed runaway, a general 

 smash up was the consequence, and in less than thirty 

 minutes from the time of stopping to feed, the pony was 

 killed (put out of its misery), having staked itself by trying 

 in its mad career to leap some iron palings with the trap 

 behind it. The wonder was that several persons were not 

 killed in their efforts to check the animal. 



In removing the Saddle or Pad the left hand is put under 

 the front, and the right hand to the dock, after first throw- 

 in «• the breech-band (if worn) over the back, across the top 

 of the crupper, and the lot is instantly and easily taken off 

 without any opposition on the part of the horse, such as 

 tucking the tail under, or as some say, biting the dock. By 

 adapting the above simple system a great deal of time and 

 trouble (besides pain to the horse) is saved, and the ready 

 assistance of that noble animal is secured, particularly when 

 he becomes thoroughly acquainted with the new, easier, and 

 more humane regulation. 



To take the Collar from the horse's neck it has been 

 before mentioned that the (hard iron) hames must not pass 

 over the eyes of the horse at the same time (that is, the 

 hames should be seperated from the collar) in any class 

 of harness, whether gig, cab, or cart ; and whatever is done 

 through carelessness or clumsiness to irritate the horse, is 

 sure to be communicated to the attendant, and thus both 

 become chafed, which invariably leads to constant shoutings 

 on the part of the man, and persistent dancing about on 

 the part of the horse ; probably the fork is introduced, 

 which frequently ends in the animal being pricked and 

 spoilt. 



In taking the collar off it is usual to drag or lug at 

 it from the front of the horse with both hands, and if it be 

 at all a tight fit, one tremendous pull is given, after a series 

 of jerks, in which the whole weight of man and horse is 

 brought to bear, which invariably results in at least three, 

 and sometimes four, ungraceful, if not brutish events occuring, 

 viz. : — The moment the collar is past the eyes, after being 

 pulled in the above helpless way, the inside of the throat 

 cannot possibly miss striking the animal's nose, which blow 

 is always a violent one ; and if the stable has a low roof or 



