60 THROUGH STABLE AND SADDLE-ROOM. 



quite possible that a horse may get cast and 

 seriously injured by it. 



I have already described the use of a hood, so 

 need not repeat it. A hood should fit well and 

 neatly, and be long enough to allow a horse to put 

 his head down without fear of its falling forward. 

 It should be provided with a small buckle and 

 strap wherewith to fasten it, and prevent its blow- 

 ing over the horse's head in wind. This strap 

 should go through a leather loop sewn on to the 

 wither of the quarter-sheet. Nothing can well be 

 more dangerous than a loose hood flying over a 

 horse's head. I leave the reader to imagine the 

 result of such in the case of a nervous horse. To 

 avoid the chance of this, short hoods are sometimes 

 used. They are sufficient protections to the head 

 and throat, but of course are not quite so effective 

 a covering as the ordinary hood. 



The foregoing remarks on horse-clothing suits 

 comprise all the details which I consider worthy of 

 notice — at all events, all which is necessary for the 

 present occasion. 



The price of a full suit of kerseymere varies, of 

 course, as to the quality of the material ; but a 

 Sfood suit should not cost more than between four 

 or five guineas, and should, with ordinary care, last 

 .some }^ears. 



