348 HUNTING PRELIMINARIES. 



recognised kind of boots for polo. Leggings are as appro- 

 priate as boots, except that the latter look much better than 

 the former, when spurs are worn. 



RIDING GEAR. 



Hunting custom ordains the use of a plain-flap saddle, 

 double bridle and breast plate, and sanctions that of a nose- 

 band (a caveson one for choice), and a leather saddle cloth. 

 A numdah is not considered smart. Martingales are not 

 very often used. Out hunting, a martingale, and especially 

 a standing one, is not an unmixed blessing, because it is 

 liable to catch in a gate which is being opened, and its 

 presence would then be apt to cause an accident. Fashion 

 requires a hunting whip with thong and lash to be carried. 

 On page 212, I have alluded to hunting whips. 



BANDAGE.S AND BOOTS. 



The danger of a horse over-reaching on his back tendons, 

 when he lands over a fence on soft ground, is so serious, 

 that it might be provided against, although it does not 

 occur very frequently. As a means of its prevention, I 

 greatly prefer specially made boots to bandages ; because 

 they afford much better protection, and are not liable, like 

 bandages, to trip up the horse by becoming undone. The 

 boots may be made of black leather, and lined with woollen 

 cloth. They would often save a horse's legs from being 

 cut by wire. 



SOME HUNTING EXPRESSIONS. 



In Chapters XIV., XV. and XVI., several hunting expres- 

 sions are explained in course of description or by the context. 

 A few of those which remain will now be dealt with. 



''The Shires'' is a term which, though frequently used, 

 has not, as far as I can learn, received an authoritative defini- 



