164 UNASKED ADVICE. 



tively fresli ; so as a hack or in harness, the same animal 

 might be free from the fault who as a hunter would be 

 guilty of it to a disgusting extent. For it is a '^dis- 

 gusting '' sensation to the rider when his horse hits his 

 fetlock, and then goes almost on three legs for more or 

 less distance, and just as the pain is subsiding repeats the 

 performance. Nor can it be pleasant to the horse. 

 Hunters do this more than other horses, because they 

 are ridden long distances on the road when they are 

 tired, and when their failing spirits are rendered still 

 lower by leaving the hounds and other horses. Now, a 

 hack is never ridden till he is as tired as a hunter after a 

 long day, with twelve miles or more to go home, and also 

 he has not to undergo the dispiriting operation of leaving 

 the hounds and plodding his weary way home alone. 

 To begin with cutting of the fetlock, and the remedies 

 for it : A horse who absolutely cuts in front is more 

 than objectionable, he is unsafe; but luckily there are 

 not many such, and those which answer this description 

 must be ridden in boots. When the fetlock only is struck, 

 a common " dealer^s boot,^^ which goes all round the joint, 

 is best, as it cannot slip round ; or rather it can, but in 

 doing so it leaves no part unprotected. It must be 

 fastened with a hvoad tape, or strap and buckle ; a narrow 

 one will cut the skin. A horse who hits a splint or the 

 sinew must be ridden in boots or bandages. I 

 much prefer the latter, as when properly put on 

 they will not chafe the leg, and their protective power 

 may be much increased by placing a strip of stout felt 

 between the inner and outer folds of the bandage, cut to 

 the shape of the leg. This will not stir, and will give all 

 the benefit of a stout boot without any of its drawbacks ; 

 and to the use of boots there are several. India-rubber 



