THE APPOINTMENT FAD 



even when horses back, and yet all is passed as 

 " correct " and proper ! The almost universal 

 abandonment of breeching in all light, and some 

 heavy, four and two-wheeled vehicles also affords 

 its elements of great danger, and has, from the 

 unaccustomed pressure on the root of the tail 

 caused by holding back, brought about many a 

 kicking match and ensuing bad accident. How 

 consistent we are in insisting that the ninety- 

 pound one-man wagon shall be provided with 

 breeching, etc., while the one-thousand-pound 

 tandem cart, for instance (carrying possibly four 

 passengers), would be regarded as extraordinarily 

 " out of line " were it so appointed ! 



What utter nonsense is all this matter of at- 

 tempting to draw fine distinctions between finger 

 or anchor hame drafts, open or jointed hame 

 links, square or horseshoe buckles, pads, straight 

 pattern or otherwise, where and how the hame- 

 clip-rivets are placed, or when and how certain 

 bearing reins and bits may or may not appear ! 



Judges walk out of the show ring after " settling 

 the hash " of all comers in one of these appoint- 

 ment classes, and the winner bears away the blue 

 with his collar so short and narrow he can hardly 

 breathe, gag-checked so his backbone creaks, his 



^33 



