26 HOBSE PORTBAITUBE. 



against his breast, by a strap running from the girth to 

 collar. It was covered and padded to prevent chafing, 

 placed on him when he commenced walking, in the spring, 

 every day or two, lengthening the screw which gradually 

 increased the distance between his knees as he travelled. 

 Ho was kept at walking exercise for a couple of months, 

 when he was jogged with the instrument on, till he finally 

 acquired a different " way of going," and never hit his 

 knees again while I had him. There are as many differ- 

 ent patterns of boots to obviate this, as there are trainers 

 or harness makers, each of whom claims his own to be the 

 best. 1 have a perfect museum of all the varieties, which 

 I will show you at some leisure time. 



PUPIL. Here is a black thoroughbred. 



PEECEPTOB. " Not a word an' you love me," scholar. Let 

 me look at him without a word or gesture to interrupt. 

 We will now go to breakfast ; when we return I must 

 again examine him. I want no clue to his qualities, pedi- 

 gree, performances; till I have a good look. 



PUPIL. All right. I was afraid I was tiring you with 

 my disquisitions. I feel decidedly like doing justice to 

 the pattern breakfast we will get at this snug hostelrie. 

 We are of right particular about providing the sweetest 

 old hay, blades, oats, hominy, bran, carrots, &c., to keep 

 our horses in good health, and should certainly be as care- 

 ful of ourselves. 



