296 CLOTHING. 



the hood may not fall down about the horse's ears in the 

 event of its becoming displaced, as for instance, by the 

 animal lowering his head. Owing to the fact that the length 

 of the neck (by reason of the elasticity of the suspensory 

 ligament of the head and neck) varies greatly according 

 to the position in which the head is carried, it is difficult 

 to arrange a hood comfortably for use at night. Con- 

 sequently, it is well not to employ ordinary long hoods on 

 horses in the stable. We may get over the difficulty 

 by using a short hood or " nightcap" as it is called. It 

 is probable that the partial protection which a short hood 

 gives, while leaving a large portion of the neck bare, 

 is apt to render the wearer liable to catch cold. A long 

 hood is a useful form of protection \vhen travelling, especially 

 by train and on the deck of a ship during inclement 

 weather. 



When a head-collar is worn with a hood, the former should 

 be placed over the latter. If the reverse of this be done, 

 the hood will not fit the animal's head properly. 



UNDER RUG. 



An under rug is simply a square or rectangular horse rug. 

 When used for additional warmth it is generally put under 

 the quarter sheet or rug. 



HEAD COLLARS. 



An ordinary head collar (Fig. 38) consists of a nose- 

 band, two cheek pieces, a throat-latch, a forehead-band 

 (front), an under piece which connects the nose-band and 

 throat-latch together, and a crown-piece which is provided 

 with a buckle, so that it can be lengthened or shortened. 

 The nose-band is divided into three parts, which are connected 

 together by rings that are made square, so as to give rigidity 

 to the nose-band. The ring of the nose-band which is 



