OR, The Tut^n Out. 129 



and " out of sight " does not alter the fact that some horses 

 in the mines are as massive and good looking, and as well 

 fed, and in many cases better cared for, than many horses 

 above ground ; therefore it is really necessary that none but 

 the best leather, check, wool, laces, and ironwork, be used 

 in the making up and repairing of all gears worn under 

 ground. 



The Split Crupper and Hip Straps — used for boating pur- 

 poses—should likewise be firm and carefully made, the side 

 pipes true, and the collar bodies full and easy in the draught. 

 The housing should not be fixed upon the collar to stand 

 up, but to lie nearly flat, for the purpose of missing the 

 bridges when passing under them. 



The Hames should be shorter in the top than the 

 ordinary cart hames, for the same reason, as regards the 

 roofing. 



The Boat Bridle is not required to be heavy — in fact, the 

 lighter the better, and should be made with a narrow nose- 

 band. Boatmen, as a rule, take great pains with the horses 

 entrusted to their care ; the writer has frequently heard 

 boatmen speak of the horse as their most constant and only 

 companion, which is easily accounted for when the fact of 

 their long and solitary journeys together is considered. 



On questioning a driver — who was jocularly shouting to 

 his horse — upon one occasion, as to why he had forgotten 

 his whip, the answer was, "My boss wants no whip, I 

 carries my pipe instead, and keeps the whip in the manger." 



Nose-tins and Nose-bags should be made with judgment, 

 and as light as possible consistent with their use ; the bottom 

 of the bag should be solid leather, and the sides porous, for 

 ventilation. 



The Heavy Harness, used for draj^ work — say that used 

 by Brewery and Railway Companies — is, as a whole, above 

 the average in make and quality, for the principal reason 

 that a good price is paid and a good pattern adopted ; and 

 the care bestowed to keep it and the horse clean and in good 

 condition is extremely creditable to the draymen, which 

 system must be a source of great satisfaction to the horse 

 owners, who are very proud of and are known to pay long 

 prices for their steeds. 



