CHAPTER XIX. 



HORSE TRAPPINGS. 



Baddies. Saddle covers. Martingal. Girths. Surcingles. Stall carpets. Riding bridles. 

 Halters. Fly-nets. Fetters. Foot-caulking. Horse-blankets. Improved horse-blankets. Im- 

 proved stirrup. Whips. Buffalo and imitation buffalo robes. Feed-bags. Hoof-shoes. Knee- 

 fenders. Fetlock fenders. 



The ills to which the horse is subject from his very nature, in 

 addition to his servitude, are every way deserving of considera- 

 tion ; and any thing that can be done for his relief, or to render 

 his condition more comfortable, seems almost as much to be de- 

 sired as if done for man himself; his sufferings demand sym- 

 pathy, and man's feelings should be enlisted in his behalf, not 

 only on the score of mercy, but also of interest. Most of the 

 appliances of gum-elastic that are intended for the comfort of 

 the horse, appear to be without objection. In no part of his 

 harness is there such defect as in the collar and saddle. This 

 defect arises mostly from the unsuitableness of the material of 

 which they are made ; and as yet, so far as has been known, no 

 other would answer the purpose at all. It would seem that the 

 sufferings of horses from galling collars and saddles, had ceased 

 to be regarded, from despair of finding a remedy. The galling 

 of the horse by the leather collar is the most obvious, but not 

 the most injurious of its effects. It is very frequently put on 

 cold and wet, and often frozen, and unquestionably more colds 

 are taken by horses from this unnoticed cause than almost any 

 other. Whether these evils are to be remedied by the inven- 

 tions described in this and the following chapter, remains to be 

 proved. 



