LEAD-LINES. 73 



do with leather ones. Rope lines are the worst of 

 all, as they soon fray, and are untrustworthy. Apart 

 from their inducement for horses to play with them, 

 the leather ones do not last very long, and require 

 more care than is usually sfiven to such articles. 

 Where they or rope are used, the log is usually 

 made of wood, but for chain ones an iron log is 

 necessary — at all events is best ; and the last link of 

 the chain is fitted with a flat piece of iron called a 

 ' key,' and this is made so as to turn up into the 

 last link. The iron log is pierced through witli a 

 hole, which is extended into a cross of equal length 

 each way. The key and last link are passed 

 through this open space, and as the key falls open 

 out of the link it thus secures the log. The whole 

 thing has the appearance of a Russian puzzle, but 

 it is very simple and effective. As in everything 

 else, so there is a right and wrong way to fit such 

 an apparently simple arrangement as a lead-line. 

 It must be a certain length, no more and no less. 

 If too short, the horse cannot lie down ; if too long, 

 it is dangerous and apt to cast him. The way 

 to ascertain the right length is thus : Lead the 

 horse up to the manger until his throat is over the 

 manger-ring, his head being held naturally as he 

 stands thus. The log at the end of the lead- 

 line should rest fairly on the ground, and no more. 



