HELPFUL HINTS. 421 



ers they are in every sense of the word ; and the idea that 

 a horse will be less frightened if he hears a noise without 

 seeing its origin is simply ridiculous. Apply it to yourself: 

 Are you more courageous in the dark, hearing a noise you 

 can not understand, than if you were to see its cause ? 



We most heartily indorse the paragraph below, written 

 by the eminent naturalist, the Kev. J. G. Wood : 



'' I unhesitatingly condemn blinkers as being among the 

 silliest of the silly devices whereby man has contrived to 

 lessen the powers of the horse. The notion that horses are 

 guarded by them from taking fright at alarming objects is 

 utterly absurd, the horse being nervously timid when its 

 senses are partially obscured, and dauntlessly courageous 

 when facing a known danger. The horses employed on 

 the Midland Railway wear no blinkers, and yet they walk 

 about among the screaming whistles, snorting and puffing 

 engines, as composedly as if they were in their own stables, 

 not even requiring to be led. To be consistent, the horse's 

 ears ought to be furnished with stoppers, so as to prevent 

 the animal from hearing any sound that might frighten it. 

 The only excuse for blinkers that has the least sense in it 

 is, that they may possibly save the eyes of horses from the 

 whips of brutal drivers. But as no man who would flog a 

 horse about the head ought to be intrusted with a horse, 

 even this very lame defense breaks down." 



The proper care of harness is another point upon which 

 every one is not well informed, and it is an important one 

 too, iuvolviug its long-continued usefulness. 



TO PRESERVE HARNESS. 



There is nothing that looks nicer in its way than a clean, 

 bright-looking set of harness, nor is there any thing more 

 quickly damaged by neglect. Harihess should be washed 

 and oiled frequently. To do this effectually the straps 



