38 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



quite as long as the leather, and, if kept properly 

 pipe-clayed, look better. The white, solid, eight- 

 plaited cord is the best cord for the purpose ; and 

 these should have a brass spring-hook at either end, 

 by which to attach them to the rings on the stall- 

 posts at one end and the bit at the other. If of 

 leather, they are usually made at one end to buckle 

 and strap on to the post-rings, and with a spring- 

 hook at the other. Chains I do not care for ; and 

 they don't look smart, though they wear, practically 

 speaking, for ever. But of whatever material pillar- 

 reins are made, when not in use they should invari- 

 ably be kept looped up, and especially where 

 chains are used. 



I have known the most serious consequences 

 occur from neglect of this precaution. Mares, 

 especially when ' horsing,' as it is called, are very 

 apt to rub their quarters against the stall-posts and 

 swish their tails about, and at times to get the 

 pillar-reins under their tails, and do themselves 

 really serious injury. It seems, perhaps, incredible 

 that such a thing could easily occur or be more 

 than an isolated instance. 



A case of this kind occurred in my own stables 

 some years ago, and I was at a loss to understand 

 how the injury could have been sustained. I had 

 at the time a very handsome, well-bred mare as a 



