BOOTS. 263 



An important — a very important — part of the equip- 

 ment of tiie training-stable is the outfit of boots. Of 

 the ordinary harness I need not speak, as good harness, 

 well made, strong, light, perfectly fitting and pliable 

 can be bought for a good price in any city in the coun- 

 try, from dealers of local repute. The same may be 

 said of sulkies— the Caffrey and the Toomey sulkies 

 being the best. But concerning boots more extended 

 remark is in order. 



The necessity of booting I have already referred to 

 emphatically enough, and I have furthermore already 

 remarked upon the importance of having boots that fit 

 properly. Xo horse or colt will fall to hitching and 

 hobbling if he is properly protected with boots, unless 

 he is sore, or over-hurried. The boot is a precaution 

 against possible injuries that may come to the truest- 

 gaited and most honest of horses; and it gives the 

 horse confidence to strike out fearlessly. No judicious 

 or experienced trainer will ever attempt to work colts 

 without first properly booting them. 



By far the best boots made in this country are those 

 turned out by J. A. McKerron of San Francisco. He 

 has experimented and worked tirelessly, and has per- 

 fected many an improved boot now in daily use all 

 over the country. I have studied the making of boots 

 considerably myself, and some of the improved Mc- 

 Kerron boots are practically of my designing, among 

 them being about all the varieties of " swivel boots." 

 I will, with the aid of cuts, describe some of these 

 that I have found most serviceable. 



The Marvin Bell Quarter Boot, Xo. 68, is an im- 

 proved quarter-boot, and especially suitable for young- 



