246 HACKS AND HUNTERS 



As tight boots make the feet cold, hunting-boots 

 for exclusive winter use may be made large enough to 

 permit one, or two pair, of heavy woollen stockings 

 to be worn underneath. 



High heels on a riding-boot are absolutely incor- 

 rect, and the proper thing is to have a low, long heel.* 

 This must not, however, be overdone and allowance 

 must be made for the fact that a woman has a higher 

 arch than a man. If the heel of the boot is too low, 

 the sole of the foot too flat, and no arch is provided 

 for the instep, the boots will be extremely uncom- 

 fortable for a woman to walk in. Care should also 

 be taken that the inside of the heel of the boot is 

 narrow enough, or otherwise the boot will rub up and 

 down and chafe the foot in walking. 



New boots should always be " broken in" before 

 one attempts to hunt or show a horse in them, for 

 nothing will make one ride so badly as a pair of boots 

 and breeches that are tight and new. 



For ordinary every-day wear in the winter, and for 

 cool days in the country, a plain black bowler (derby) 

 is the correct thing. But as there are many shapes 

 and styles of bowlers, care should be taken to select 

 a smart workmanlike model, and I am sorry to say, 

 that there are few hatters in this country where one 

 can rely on finding one. The average American riding 

 hat is a fearful-looking object, and on the whole it is 

 generally wiser to import one (and then have a " block" 

 made from it for future use), or else endeavor to pick 

 out an English model over here. Those from Messrs. 

 Locke, or Lincoln and Bennett, are possibly the best. 



Whatever style you select, be sure to avoid the low 



* The long heel is supposed to catch on the stirrup-iron, and thus 

 prevent a rider from putting the foot too far "home." 



