70 STABLE MANAGEMENT. 



one end of which the heel rope is tied, and into 

 which the hind foot is .slipped, being secured by a 

 flat leather thong wound round the middle of it 

 behind the fetlock joint to prevent its slipping off. 

 The strap is then of a fig. 8, or hour-glass shape, 

 the heel rope being tied in one loop, the foot placed 

 in the ^ other, the thong forming the neck or con- 

 striction. These, I think, are the best form of 

 leather foot strap ; but in buying them care should 

 be taken that the stitching of the leather is on 

 the outside, as if it is on the inside, where natives 

 often put it, it is very likely to rub the skin and 

 cause a bad cracked heel. Another form of " muz- 

 zuma'* is made out of stiff flat leather lined with 

 felt. This has a slip loop going round it, with 

 a buckle on one side and a strap on the other, 

 that runs along the centre. The heel rope is tied 

 to one end, the foot put into the other, and when 

 the strap is buckled tightly, the running loop is 

 drawn close up to the heel, so as to keep the whole 

 arrangement in its place. This form of " muzzuma " 

 is the usual kind sold ; but it is objectionable, as the 

 edges get stiff and hard, and are likely to cut the 

 heel, which the round ones do not. Both sorts of 

 leather " muzzumas '* require to be kept soft and 

 pliable with dubbing (momrogan), which "syces" 



