252 ANIMAL ARTISANS 



without coats in cold weather will expect to share the 

 privileges of their carriage and racehorse friends, and 

 have smart suits for the winter. Horse clothing is 

 now almost confined to the higher ranks of equine 

 life ; for as long as a horse's coat is thick and rough it 

 is a good " non-conductor," and the natural covering 

 of a sheltie, or a Celtic pony, or a Prejvalski wild 

 horse gives ample protection against any amount of 

 cold and wet. But such a coat would be very in- 

 convenient to a more sophisticated horse ; it is far too 

 thick and hot for fast work, and too difficult to dry 

 and clean, so art and nature have been combined to 

 get rid of this thick natural overcoat, and well-bred 

 horses are provided with coats suitable for all occasions 

 like their masters. 



Though they are provided with most attractive and 

 well-cut suits, they occasionally tear them up at first 

 as a useless encumbrance, but learn to appreciate 

 them later. To teach this "anti-cloth biters" are 

 sold, just as children are made to wear gloves to pre- 

 vent them from biting their nails. Some horses are 

 even measured for their suits, though the majority 

 have to content themselves with " reach-me-downs " 

 made to sizes. They have the distinction also of 

 having their " things " marked with the monogram 

 of their owners. 



There is no knowing what this extension of the 

 movement to hats may lead to. That simplicity 

 which Carlyle thought he had discovered in the world 

 which does not wear clothes may possibly be impaired. 

 Animals may learn in time, like Teufelsdrockh, the 



