Riding for Ladies: With Hints on the Stable
CHAPTER XXVI.
A BUDGET OF “TIPS”.
MOUTHS AND MOUTH-PIECES.--The shape, delicacy, or toughness of a horse’s tongue does not in the least contribute towards making his mouth either tender or harsh; but a difficulty is thrown in the way of bitting when the tongue is broad in form, because in such case it covers the bars of the mouth, and so prevents the mouth-piece from acting properly upon them. The tongue is endowed with immense susceptibility to pain or pressure, and any undue compression of it causes intense suffering and fretting, and entirely obviates the action of the bridle. I consider that rollers, olives, twists, and all such devices, are not only useless encumbrances, but are instruments of destruction as well. The severity or mildness of a mouth-piece is regulated by the thickness of that portion of the cannons which acts upon the bars of the mouth. The curb-chain ought to sit exactly on the beard, or chin, of the horse. If he is tender-mouthed, it should be left very slack.
COUNTRY RIDING-SUITS FOR MEN.--If you want to ride in luxury in the country, get measured for a knickerbocker garment, with continuations in the form of breeches, fitting perfectly below the knee. This most sensible novelty can be worn with or without leggings, so that if desired for rough usage on the moors, the additions can be dispensed with, or added if wanted for saddle use.
HUNTING BREASTPLATES are approved by many keen sportsmen. I give a sketch of one.
HUSTLING HORSES.--Never hustle a horse at a gap, or in a crowd, or on any account cram him at his fences. Give him time. He has, as Major Whyte Melville used to say, “to carry the bigger fool of the two, and to think for both.”
BRUSHING.--For a horse that “brushes” procure a leathern boot, the colour of the foot, made of prepared horse-skin, having the hair left on, and laced up the leg. On, or just over the seat of injury, a concave piece of stout leather should be let into the covering, and the hollow thus formed (which acts as a protector) should be filled up with a small pad of lint, previously saturated with zinc lotion. This serves to cure the sore, and also prevents a recurrence of it. I append a sketch.
SAWMOUTH BRIDOON.--This is a terribly severe bit, and one which no good judge of training would permit to be used among his horses. It is calculated to destroy rather than to instruct. The illustration shows the nature of it.
TO SHOE a nervous or vicious horse, or a young sensitive colt, take him to a skilled farrier--one who has a good temper in addition to his other endowments--and while he is working, take up your stand at the animal’s head, _at the same side_ as that on which the farrier is engaged. Hold the bridle loosely in your hands, dispense with blinkers, and let the horse see what is going on. You can manage this by allowing him to turn his head when he tries to do so. Do not permit any third person to come in the way during the operation. It is a good plan to stand a horse that is to be shod _close by a wall_. If the smith be unfortunately a duffer at his work, instruct him to smooth the leg downwards from the shoulder or thigh, as the case may be, lifting it up and putting it down again, if the horse seems frightened, and even going away for a moment, and again returning, in order that confidence may become fully established. The safest and surest method of overcoming irritability or nervousness is to exercise a quiet kindness, combined with a cool firmness of purpose; and to accomplish this end, one, or at most two, persons, will be infinitely better than a number. The adjoining sketch shows a horse under treatment on principles of which I do not profess to approve, although I am willing to acknowledge that there are cases in which actual vice can only be overcome by severity and brute force. The custom here depicted of casting an intractable animal for the purpose of getting him shod is common enough in almost all cavalry stables, and is seldom accompanied by any cruelty, save on rare occasions, when the attendant who carries the whip makes use of it to practical purpose--a thing net often called for. When a horse is to be shod thus, the ground about him is usually covered with sacks, to break the force of his fall; but these the artist has not thought it necessary to depict.
BROKEN-WINDED horses require regular work, and regular feeding. A generous diet, composed of oats, beans, and barley, will be very good for them; and in place of hay give about six pounds of wheaten straw every alternate day, with carrots very frequently.
VETERINARY QUACKS.--No man has a right to be called a veterinary surgeon who has not a diploma. A pretender may assume the name--often does, in fact--but quackery soon expires.
WHEN A HORSE CLEARS HIS NOSTRILS immediately on being pulled up, it is a sign that he has wind enough to go both further and faster in his next gallop. When a minute elapses the pace may still be increased though not much; but when two minutes go over without the expected snort, it is a proof that the exercise has been a little too hard for the animal’s condition. Remember, when exercising a young one, that you must not take too much out of him. Frequent protrusion of the muzzle is a sign that distress is at hand, and a settled thrusting forward of it shows that the horse is at very nearly all that he can do.
RESTLESSNESS in horses--or temper, as many call it--is more frequently noticeable in summer than in winter time, and is caused by the troublesome flies which stick all over the animals’ bodies. These creatures torment some tender-skinned horses almost to madness; and when a stamp is given, ears put back, or a leg lifted as if in pain, immediate search ought to be made for the occasion of it. Horses at pasture can, as a rule, defend themselves with their teeth, feet, and tails: that is, when the latter appendages are left them; but in this country, so eminently the seat of wisdom and freedom, the effective instrument is invariably removed, and Nature most unfairly handicapped,--as if the sorrows of servitude are not sufficiently great and numerous without augmenting them by caprice.
BALES are simple bars of wood, used largely in cavalry stables to separate the horse-stalls. They are furnished at each end with iron links, by means of which they are suspended to hooks fastened at the head and heel-posts. Sometimes they are made of iron, but well-seasoned oak is quite sufficiently strong for the purpose. The usual dimensions are eight feet long, and four inches in diameter, and they are placed at a distance of about three feet from the ground. The top part may be a fixture; but one end or the other ought to be so arranged that in case of a horse getting partially under it when lying down, it will move readily upwards, according as the animal pushes it in his rise. I have a strong objection to bales, because they admit of horses biting and injuring one another, and are in other ways undesirable; but that they are cheaper than travises, I am, of course, prepared to allow. It is, however, almost their sole claim to notice.
AN IDLE GROOM is generally an eye-server. The wisp is oftener in his hand than the brush. When a horse does not _look_ amiss on being brought to the door, and yet that his skin leaves a dirty whitish stain on the fingers when they are pressed into it, the fact is proved beyond all doubt. Thin-skinned horses will not stand a curry-comb; nor is it necessary to use one where good strong brushes are supplied, and _made a proper use of_.
THE CURRY-COMB, when employed at all, should describe a sweeping movement--never a rubbing one--and the utmost gentleness should always accompany the using of it.
WHEN THE PROPER GROOMING of a horse is neglected, he suffers in consequence. Lice, for instance, are never seen in animals that are even moderately well taken care of; but when once these pests appear, the spread of them is amazingly rapid. Nothing but care and cleanliness will eradicate them. Make a strong lather of black soap, wash well with it, then again with clean water, and finally anoint the patches where the lice are with a little mercurial ointment. If they have spread over the surface of the body, make a strong decoction of tobacco, and smear liberally with a sponge. The same treatment will do for dogs.
TO REMOVE THE SOFT COATING OF HAIRS that grows on the inside of a horse’s ears is not only unnecessary, but is absolutely cruel. It has been furnished to the animal as a protection against dust, flies, and dirt; and when taken away, the ears are left exposed to the influence of the three combined. All appearance of untidiness may be done away with by holding the ear in the left hand with the edges of it nicely evened, and then clipping lightly along them with a sharp scissors. I would never on any account permit nose-hairs to be clipped, or otherwise removed. Horses are immensely sensitive to any interference with them, and for sundry reasons they ought not to be meddled with.
A HORSE THAT IS CAST UNDER THE MANGER cannot possibly rise until he is drawn backwards by an attendant. Every time that he attempts to get up he strikes his head, and is thus brought forcibly down again. In a properly-constructed stable such a thing could not, however, occur.
OLD-FASHIONED MANGERS ought to be boarded in, so that no hollow may exist under them.
FILLING HORSES’ FEET.--I am totally against this system, but, when those who are partial to it are bent upon carrying it out, they should see that it is done with fresh moss, soft and very damp, pressed well into the feet, and tucked away on the inside of the shoes.
THE SEMI-MILITARY AND TRAVELLING saddle is made to fit any horse, and is in great request among officers serving abroad. Peat & Co., of Piccadilly, have patented it, and the sealed pattern is at the War Office.
BITING THE COLLAR-ROPE.--If you want to see a horse do this, leave him a rope about two or three feet too long; shut him up in a close stable, and give him nothing to do. It is not a vice, but rather one of the many signs of weariness and idleness in which dumb animals indulge. I append a sketch of a rope-biter.
A HORSEMAN’S SKILL in the management of his bridle-hand consists in the discretion with which he makes the bit be felt. It ought never to be used too severely, and its effects should be moderated by the mildness and pliability of the hand.
WHEN BOILING GRAIN of any kind, give it plenty of water, and keep it constantly stirred. If you neglect this necessary precaution, it will stick to the bottom of the boiler, and the burned part will acquire a nasty nauseous taste. According as the water evaporates, add a fresh supply. Never let the liquor boil over; it is a great waste to do so, as it contains a large amount of nutriment. Oats will need more boiling than beans; these latter more than barley, carrots and turnips more than potatoes. Four measures of oats, boiled and bursting, will fill seven measures; four of beans, something over eight and a half; while four of barley will fill quite ten. I have proved all these statistics in my own stable.
FALSE QUARTER is a defect of the outer wall of the foot. I give a sketch of the only possible relief for it.
RICK IN THE BACK will necessitate the throwing up of the sufferer for at least six months. He must be placed in a roomy stall, the hair over the seat of injury be carefully removed, and the place kept moist with cloths dipped in a lotion composed of tincture of arnica two ounces, and water one pint. Soft nourishing food must be given, but no medicine on any account whatever--the restoration to finish with liquid blistering of a judicious kind.
THE SAFEST ARRANGEMENT FOR SIDE SADDLES, to avoid risk of being hung up, or dragged after a fall, is that adopted with “the level seat saddle,” by Messrs. Nicholls of Jermyn Street. They have patented a bar for the stirrup leather, extremely simple in construction, and which will instantly disconnect it, should a rider have the misfortune to get her foot caught when falling over the off-side of the saddle. An elastic safety-band, stretched across the heads, will, when a fall occurs, prevent the habit catching on the saddle,--and the unpleasant predicament of a horse galloping about, with his rider suspended by the skirt, head downwards (as witnessed sometimes in the hunting-field), will be avoided.
TAKE A PISTOL with you on all occasions when going to hunt, and in case of hopeless injury occurring to your mount, make use of it, with all the quietness and celerity you can command. Horses, when left to themselves, rarely meet with mishaps; it is, therefore, only fair that their riders should protect them against unnecessary torture.
LADIES’ SPURS.--I have pleasure in appending sketches of the only three of these--that I know of--that are manufactured for ladies’ use. The Sewarrow is, I think excellent. Lady equestrians frequently use a small pair of hunting spurs of the shape worn by men--the right one having a knob in place of a rowel. These are used with Hessian boots, and look well when dismounted. The spike of the spur is in all cases made amply long to fulfil its purpose; to wear one of immoderate length would necessitate having it made specially, and could not effect any good. I like “box” spurs myself, and have always worn them; but there is nothing objectionable in the strap, and it has the advantage of being readily adjusted to any sort of boot, whereas boots fitted with box spurs are generally costly articles.
CRIB-BITING may be prevented by removing all woodwork from the vicinity of the horse, and if he persists in gnawing his stable-partitions, smear them well with aloes, and he will soon desist.
“DISHING” is a common expression among horsey people. It signifies throwing out the forelegs in a kind of side manner, which looks badly in the trot. I have seen some very good horses do it, but it would certainly be called defective action. To “dish” with one foreleg only is a very frequent thing.
BANDAGING.--When a horse’s legs have to be bandaged, it is a good plan to coil the bandages completely round the pastern, close to the hoofs, winding them around the legs in spiral form (each coil overlapping the other) until the legs are bound up to the knees or hocks, where the bandages are secured. The pressure must be equal, and not too tight. The strings should admit a finger after being tied. I have never found a horse so treated attempt to lie down, and it is far less irksome to an animal than being tied up by the head.
HABIT-CUTTING is now perfection at most of the high-class London houses. Bodices are exquisitely made--some with stand-up collars, others slightly lapelled, to show a portion of habit-shirt or tie. The backs are cut with long seams, and the buttons placed low, so that even a naturally short-waisted figure appears the contrary, being lengthened and improved. The shaping in front is excellent. The skirts are so artistically cut and seamed that they fit at the back as closely as a man’s hunting breeches, while the shaping at the knee is supplemented by a most artistic and novel arrangement underneath, a sort of hollow, into which the up-pommel fits completely, thus obviating the necessity of having folds of cloth lying between the right leg and the saddle. These skirts, held back by the hand when the wearer is dismounted, look neat, and are of convenient walking length.
WALL-LICKING.--If a horse shows a tendency to this, leave a lump of chalk in his manger. A piece of rock-salt left there as well will never be amiss.
SIGNS OF MEGRIM.--When a horse suddenly throws up his head, and holds it in the air and on one side, be assured he has a megrim, and will be in danger of falling if driven further without a stop. Pull up at once, and if cold water can be had anywhere within reach of you, dash a bucket of it over his head and neck.
BENUMBED LEG.--When, for taming purposes, a horse’s leg is strapped up for any length of time, it becomes benumbed, and ought, when let down, to be rubbed vigorously before the animal is allowed to walk upon it If this is not done he will probably fall.
HINTS FOR AMATEUR JOCKEYS.--The moment you know that you are beaten in a race, pull up. You can gain nothing by flogging your horse to the finish. If going well and gamely, let him alone; if not, catch him with both hands, and give him two or three kicks with the spurs, I never advocate waiting, unless the mount is a very game one. Jump off with the lead, and hold it as long as you can.
AGE SYMPTOMS.--A horse that has passed his fourth year has four incisors in each jaw, all fully grown.
A SEATED SHOE signifies a regular, or ordinary, shoe, which has only as much upper surface left as will admit of the crust resting upon it.
HIRING HORSES.--Windsor, Cheltenham, and Oxford are about the best places I know of for jobbing light-weight hunters. When an animal is found to suit, it ought to be at once secured for the season. Horses can be had at Barnstaple for Exmoor. Oxford is within reach of five packs of fox-hounds. Capital hunting quarters can be had there, and excellent horses--cheap too, in vacation time, as there is not any one to ride them.
DEFECTIVE VISION.--A horse that has any defect in his sight should be at once rejected by the buyer. It is the only safe way in dealing, unless the desire is to buy a blind animal at a blind price. There is generally a plausible reason given for every suspicious appearance, whether it be a sightless eye or a pair of broken knees.
BLINKERS.--I greatly disapprove of these for breaking. Let the colt or horse see what you are doing. In this I am aware that many disagree with me, but I usually hold to my opinions, as I do not form them in a hurry.
AMATEUR BLACKSMITHS.--If you want to be independent of the forge when frost sets in, you can do it in this way. As soon as the hunting season has fairly begun, have your horse’s shoes made with square holes punched at the extremities and at the toes. Have these fitted with slightly tapering plugs of steel, with sharp projecting points. The plugs should be about two inches in length, and must be made to fit the holes both accurately and tightly, but not to go quite through the shoe to the foot. When frost appears, and you want to go out, insert the plugs _yourself_ in the holes, tap them slightly on the points with a hammer, and when the horse puts his weight on them it will drive them “home.” The plugs will last for three or four days, and are both cheap and easily renewed. When you require to take them out, another quiet tap or two (delivered a little at the side) will start them, owing to the taper on the part that fits into the shoe.
“HOT FITTING.”--I entirely approve of this, when properly conducted. It would need a very lengthy application of a hot shoe to affect the hoof to any depth--quite four minutes to cause a marked increase of temperature in the upper part of the foot--while, in reality, the hot shoe is not usually applied for more than three or four seconds.
TEMPERATURE OF STABLES.--The average temperature of a stable should be about 48° F. Never clip until the whole of the winter coat has appeared--then do it once for the entire season. Leaving the saddle-place unclipped will be more likely to provoke galls than to prevent them.
SUPPLY OF HAY.--Six pounds of hay _per diem_ is quite sufficient for a horse, when plenty of other food is given. Too much hay is a mistake.
QUARTERN.--Everybody knows that this weighs 2½ lbs.
STABLE FORKS.--Do away with steel, and use wooden ones.
SHOES.--A set ought to last four weeks, unless the work be constant and the going very hard.
HUNTING SCARLET.--Do not don red in the hunting field until your “salad” days are over. It is a remarkable colour, and of late many excellent sportsmen have discarded it altogether. This may, perhaps, be owing to the fact that ladies are putting it on! Two fair Dianas who ride very straight with the Meath hounds adopted scarlet last season, and doubtless many more will ere long follow suit. It is not to be admired, in my opinion, and can scarcely fail to remind the beholder of things usually associated with street-organs and itinerant grinders of these instruments!
“UNKNOWING” ONES.--Ignorance concerning horsey subjects is quite common among ladies who are otherwise well educated, and, indeed, highly informed. Mrs. Beecher Stowe relates of herself, in her ‘Sunny Memories,’ that when dining one day with Earl Russell she spoke of hunting as “a vestige of the savage state,” when, to her great astonishment, she saw laughter on all the men’s faces. No wonder. Fox hunting, or rather riding to hounds is an art not yet a century old. Two of our most popular authoresses--I might, perhaps, say the two most popular--make such egregious mistakes on the subjects of hunting, racing and betting, that men laugh, and women who know, say, “What a pity it is!”
HUNTING CENTRES.--A young Londoner cannot do better than try his hand with the Surrey Foxhounds, or with one of the Kentish packs. The hills of Surrey afford good hunting ground, despite the flints, and the superfluity of coverts.
WHEN A HORSE IS COLLAR-SHY, or nervous about the adjustment of the crupper, have the latter made to unbuckle, and procure a collar that opens at the top. This is, of course, in case of being unable to reassure the animal by kindness. Put beating and scolding entirely aside; they have probably led to the evils that have to be cured.
THE FOOT “HOME” IN THE STIRRUP was for long a favourite theory of mine, and one which I myself practised--especially when travelling long distances, or going the pace,--but then, I always rode in a plain little racing stirrup, made sufficiently wide to enable the foot to work easily in it, so that there was no possibility of its “sticking,” or proving otherwise dangerous. Finding, however, that, despite repeated warnings, ladies would persist in adopting the various forms of so-called safety-stirrups, in which the foot was absolutely embedded, the stuffing over the instep helping to tighten the hold, I thought it safest and most conscientious to discard my theory altogether and advocate riding from the ball of the foot. To keep perpetually saying, “Do as I do,” partakes rather of the egotistical and self-sufficient, even where one may fairly add, “And no harm will ensue,”--but if, added to this, there is apparently a strong desire on the part of those spoken to to have their own way, it is surely wise to offer them such directions as will best obviate the chances of mishap. Here, for instance, is an example of my meaning: Suppose that I am in the habit of reading in bed, using a safety-lamp for doing so, and I discover that it is a practice in my household and elsewhere for others to read by the light of a half-burnt candle, insecurely fastened into its socket in the candlestick, and laid perhaps upon the pillow,--will it not be better and safer for me to decry altogether the practice of night reading, than to keep perpetually urging (without hope of success) that safety-lamps ought in all cases to be adopted?
WHEN A CARRIAGE IS KEPT COVERED in a coach-house, the cover ought to be constantly aired.
NEVER PERMIT WATER TO DRY of itself on a vehicle, or it will certainly leave stains.
APRONS, HEADS, etc., that are composed of enamelled leather, should be washed with soap and water, and rubbed well with linseed oil--the former being constantly unfolded, and the latter kept fully stretched.
MOTHS can be prevented from settling in the linings of vehicles by mixing camphor and turpentine in a saucer, and placing it inside, with all the windows drawn up. The evaporation of the mixture will serve the purpose well.
BOLTS AND CLIPS of vehicles should be constantly looked to, and tightened if loose; and all repairs should be done at _once_, nothing being allowed to lie over.
HORSE-COLLARS should be so made that the weight attached to the traces shall be distributed over the surface of the shoulders when pulling, not concentrated on one point, or, almost as bad, perpetually rubbing up and down. A collar cannot be considered fitted, simply because it appears all right when the horse is standing still. Set him going at a good pace, and then judge of it. If he be a high-crested animal, he will probably need a collar quite two inches longer than seemed necessary when he stood at ease. If the traces are attached too low to the hames, they will draw the collar away from the upper part of the shoulder. This can only be remedied by shifting the point of the draught, till a proper bearing has been obtained.
BENCRAFT HAMES.--There is sometimes immense difficulty in fitting horses that are peculiarly shaped with collars that will not gall them; in such cases the above may be tried, as by using them the draught can be shifted to suit the shoulders or the height of the wheels. They have an awkward appearance, but nevertheless serve their purpose admirably.
SHAFT-TUGS should be of a length to suspend the shafts at exactly the correct height, by which I mean the centre of the swell of the pad-flaps, measured both ways. When the shafts are much bent, the tugs must be shorter than if ordinarily straight. The traces must be of proper length, otherwise the correct horizontal position of the shaft-tugs cannot possibly be maintained. When too short the motion of the horse forces tugs and pad forward, thus drawing the crupper uncomfortably tight--and when too long, the vehicle is drawn by the tugs instead of by the traces. It is rare to sit behind a horse that one can pronounce properly harnessed in every particular.
A KICKING-STRAP will be worse than useless--it will chafe and irritate--unless properly put on. A strap that is either too light or the reverse, or that passes in a direct line from shaft to shaft, had better not be used at all. It ought to be just loose enough, nothing more, to allow of the horse travelling without feeling chafed by it, and should be fastened at least two inches behind the hip-bones, as a loin-strap would be.
FITTING THE BIT TO THE HORSE’S MOUTH.--This, as I have already stated, is an advisable plan. A Buxton or Liverpool bit is commonly employed in harness, but if a horse has a light mouth, he may travel well in a snaffle. Buxton bits are made without ports. Experience will tell whether the reins ought to be buckled to the cheek or to the bars. In my opinion, almost all horses go well in properly _fitting_ bits. I altogether disapprove of the enormous affairs with cheeks eleven inches long, and weighing quite two pounds, which ignorance sometimes makes use of. I believe that comparatively few animals require bits of larger dimensions than one and three-quarter inches for the upper cheek, and three and a-half for the lower. This latter ought _never_ to be more than double the length of the upper portion. Even when the reins are fastened to a ring below the cheek, the weight of the projecting arm will effect the leverage of the entire affair.
HORSES ADDICTED TO RUNNING AWAY frequently lay hold of the cheek of the bit; it is a fault in large measure cultivated by using bits that are too broad for the mouth. To avoid it, the cheeks might be bent backwards, after the Wimbush pattern.
CORRECT BITTING gives control in harness without inflicting pain. Any suffering that cannot be got rid of by the horse dropping his head to the right position, is barbarous cruelty, however it may be glossed over or concealed. Half the horses that one sees in London and elsewhere, poking their chins in an unnatural manner, are made to do so by the use of powerful bits and severe curb-chains--yet ignorance cannot be brought to see it, although the evils of it are frequently and earnestly set forth.
BLINKERS are generally considered indispensable adjuncts to harness. Why, I do not know.
BEARING-REINS are only tolerable when the snaffle bit is suffered to hang well below the corners of the mouth, and when the reins themselves are of such a length that the instant the horse lifts his head and sets off, they become amply slack. I cannot at all see why they should be thought an absolute necessity for draught purposes, when not used in the saddle. There are, of course, cases in which they are advisable; when, for instance, extremely nervous or badly-broken animals are of necessity driven through crowded thoroughfares; but otherwise I cannot believe that they are either necessary or ornamental.
FASHIONABLE COACHMEN concoct an instrument of torture by drawing up the gag-bit until the horse’s mouth is dragged back quite two inches: a curb much too long and very much too wide being next added, and strained up to the last extremity of tightness. The cruelty of ordinary bearing-reins is unspeakably great, and to the use of them may be attributed the loss of sight in many fine young horses--undue pressure on the glands that lie just under the angles of the jaws being the fruitful cause of this melancholy evil.
NAGGING at a horse’s mouth when driving him is a most objectionable practice, and one that is, unfortunately, too generally indulged in. If an animal appears sluggish, the driver finds it easier to rouse him temporarily by means of chucking at his mouth, than by either a suitable use of the whip, or an investigation into the general state of his health: a low or disordered condition of which is far more frequently the cause of sluggishness than the “roguishness,” of which helpless animals are often wrongfully accused.
IN DRIVING A PAIR the arrangement of the coupling-reins is a matter of vast importance; for, should one horse be naturally faster in pace than his fellow, the whole comfort of the drive will depend upon being able to regulate the two animals to the same rate of going. To do this the coupling-rein of the fast horse must be shortened by bringing the buckle closer to the driver’s hands, so that a pull will act on him before checking in any degree the speed of the other horse. Coupling-reins should come to within six inches of the driver’s fingers. I have seen a pair of runaways stopped in a short time by laying a firm hold upon the two _inside_ reins, and dropping the outer ones.
CANTERING IN HARNESS is a very common fault, and can only be stopped by pulling up and starting afresh at a trot. A canterer in double harness may be controlled by putting on him a pair of single harness-reins, as well as the double ones.
TANDEM.--I am not an admirer of tandem, but it is a good way of exercising saddle-horses in the summer time, and keeping them in condition. They should be always placed as leaders. Steady, powerful harness horses will be best to use as wheelers, the comfort and safety of the driver being dependent upon their paces and behaviour. A leader should be full of courage, and go always in the collar and up to the bit. An improvement that I have been told of for tandem-harness is to have three bars fastened to the shafts: an effectual means of preventing the leader from stepping over the traces.
POSITION WHEN DRIVING.--I strongly object to the standing position--as though merely leaning against the box-seat of the vehicle--which many gentlemen-drivers adopt. I believe that such an attitude _must_ leave the driver almost powerless to assist or resist his horses. The position when driving should be firm, upright, and decided; the elbows hanging at ease, close to the hips, but not laid against them; the arms nicely rounded, and the hands held at a moderate distance from the body. Nothing can be worse than seeing the arms of the driver dragged forward by the action of the horses that he is meant to control; nor can anything be much more objectionable than flinging up the wrists when coming to a stop, instead of shortening the reins by passing the right hand quietly in front of the left.
REALLY FIRST-CLASS DRIVERS rarely trust to holding the reins in one hand only, even in single harness; or, if they seem to do so, the right hand is ever ready to be laid upon the off or right hand rein, while the forefinger falls naturally upon the near one; by this means a gentle pressure can be exercised either by it or by the exterior angle of the hand which rests upon the off leather. A good coachman will always at starting take the reins in both hands; and animals ought to be trained to start slowly and collectedly--not with anything that resembles a jerk. The “show” in which some drivers delight to indulge, both at starting and when the horses are at rest, by first flicking them with the whip and then pulling them sharply up, cannot be too strongly deprecated.
THE WHIP, although esteemed a necessary adjunct to driving apparatus, should be used as sparingly as possible--more, in fact, as an instructor, than as a means of inflicting punishment. There is nothing nicer in driving than seeing the whip in rest, and the horses, fearless of its severities, going gaily up to their bridles, restrained by a master hand.
TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE A TEAM is not considered a great feat by many men, or, indeed, by some women, in these latter days; but of course there is driving and driving--both of different sorts. I approve of studying under a first-class wagoner, and being guided _entirely_ by him. To be a good four-in-hand driver requires courage, coolness temper, decision, quickness, strength and clearness of sight, flexible hands, and good staying power in the arms and back. I have seen but one woman in my life who was able to drive a team of full-sized horses in best English style; and I can only recall the names of seven or eight men who could do so. Hundreds, of course, attempt it, and satisfy themselves that they are doing splendidly; whereas, the contrary is, as a rule, the case. Team-driving is not suitable work for ladies. The mere exertion of holding four free-going horses for even an hour at a stretch is so great that, unless the muscles of the arms have been strengthened by sculling, practising with dumb-bells, or other gymnastic exercises, the driver will be thoroughly done up, and at the mercy of any mischance that may occur, before half the journey has been got over. A strong, firm-handed, full-muscled man, with a cool nerve, a quick eye, and his heart in the work he is engaged at, will make the best driver of a dashing four-in-hand. The “golden youth” who stand bolt upright against sloping cushions, curling and uncurling their whips, touching up leaders that need no touching, or letting them get out of hand--and double-thonging steady-working wheelers, are simply objects to laugh at, or to pity, or both.
TO WIELD THE WHIP in a workman-like manner may be practised without horses, by sitting at ease on an elevation, with a good instructor close at hand. There are correct uses for every part of it, down to the very point: a proper position for the stick, and proper ways of using it at various lengths--all of which have to be learned; and nobody can be called a coachman who is not intimately familiar with them--so much so that he can carry his whip without apparently thinking about it, and hold it, use it, and curl it, as if by a kind of instinct--precisely as all these ought to be done.
A TEAM SHOULD BE TRAINED TO STAND perfectly still until the driver gives the word to go. A restless, uneasy, shuffling, while the apron is being adjusted, the whip taken up, and the reins gathered, is both unsightly and unpleasant.
THE WHEELERS in a four-in-hand coach ought to start it and turn it round, without the leaders ever feeling the traces; and they ought to stop the vehicle with the traces of the leaders resting quite slack.
A GOOD DRIVER will have his leaders so in hand at the start that when they move they will be out of the collars, and entirely clear of the splinter-bars.
PRACTICE should be on level ground, and on roads devoid of traffic. None save really first-class drivers ought ever attempt to pilot a coach through a crowded thoroughfare. Plenty of novices do it, and delude themselves with the notion that they are driving beautifully, when in reality they are only clearing the road--for, as a rule, people leave a passage for a four-horsed coach, chiefly I fancy through fear of being run down by it if they don’t speedily get out of its way.
DRIVING A TEAM is, on the whole, very far from child’s play, and it needs a smart wagoner to know and carry out all the nice points of the art: how, for instance, to make the wheelers work, when to put on the drags, when to run down without them, how to regulate the pace, especially when descending a steep decline, how to go nicely and collectedly over the tops of all hills, whether great or small, with numerous other minor matters, which study and practice can alone teach.
FOURTEEN MILES AN HOUR is a tremendously fast pace for leaders to trot. Such a rate of going would necessitate that the wheelers should gallop. Speed is, I always think, far less necessary than stamina in a four-in-hand team. A well made up quartett, of which every horse has two good ends, ought to travel from London to Epsom at a fair steady pace, and come back in the evening in spanking style.
A TEAM THAT WILL TROT briskly up the hill to the Star and Garter at Richmond at the rate of, say, eight miles an hour without the whip, may be pronounced a real good thing.
IF FOUR HORSES cannot be matched in height, I advocate conceding the difference to the wheelers. Age will not matter very much--nor will colour--for merely useful work; but go and action are all important.
A GOOD AND HUMANE DRIVER always looks to the condition of each horse separately, when halting after a long drive. An oatmeal drink with the chill taken off, and an abundance of water splashed about the legs, prove great refreshers. Exhausted horses are immensely benefited by getting a scrape down, together with a “pick-me-up” of warm ale.
AN UPPER JAW BIT, and an Over Draw Check will teach a youngster (when training for harness) almost as much sense as he will learn by two months’ handling. The apparatus sobers him--stops that peculiar, one-sided, _twisting_ kind of kick, or “lurch,” which beginners when fresh are wont to indulge in--and, in short, teaches him to trot his level best, without the aid of a kicking-strap. It is called the “Carleton” Check--I presume from its inventor’s name--and consists of a very small bar snaffle, not much thicker than an ordinary lead pencil, with a loose ring at either end. Straps, about half an inch wide, are buckled to these rings, and are connected above the horse’s nostrils by a narrow upper noseband: on the same principle as an ordinary chin-strap. This little noseband is necessary to keep the bit called an “upper jaw bit” in its place: namely, _under_ the _upper_ jaw, just as the regular bit is _upon_ the _under_ jaw. The little mouthpiece is very slightly curved--a mere segment of a circle--and from it the two straps run up the horse’s nose, and are joined together on his forehead to prevent them chafing his eyes. They are then continued between the ears, and along the mane, to the water hook. At the spot where they pass the headpiece they run through two square loops, in which are “rolls,” or rollers, to allow the straps free play. They are joined at the ends, and are made to hook over the water hook, after which a tiny contrivance is slipped _on_ the hook, which renders it impossible for the horse (let him fling his head about as he chooses) to throw the rein off the hook. The hand, however, can release it in a flash--and the whole affair is a perfect marvel of neatness and ingenuity. Its good effects are, to raise the head, extend the neck, and give free play to the lungs. It likewise lengthens the gait, steadies the horse, prevents breaking, obviates “hitching” behind, takes the pull off the driver’s hands, and brings out a horse’s trot, if he has any at all in him. The evils are, that it spoils a handsome erect carriage, lowers the crest, and makes the animal poke his nose in an unsightly manner. In short, it is invaluable for training a road horse, or trotter, but the habitual use of it is undesirable and even cruel, for a horse cannot possibly bend while he has it on. So rigid are its effects, and so impossible is it for an animal to lower his head while wearing it, that I am of opinion it would put an effectual “stopper” upon the tricks of the most confirmed buck-jumper living, if connecting-straps were just passed, say, underneath the saddle, and attached firmly to the crupper. This is merely an idea,--but I should like to see it tested in a practical way.
THE KEMBLE JACKSON is another kind of bit employed very largely in the States, especially in Kentucky, which is a very horsey district,--one of the most so, indeed, in America. The Jackson can be used with or without an upper jaw bit, and has the reins of the check to run through loops directly _under_ the ears--where some tandem lines go. This has the effect of giving a lofty carriage to the head, without making the horse poke his nose as the Carleton does. No noseband is employed with it, and the wearer can hold his head in handsome position--which is an immense advantage with a carriage horse, in which up-headedness is an essential attribute. It is in some points quite before the Carleton, which latter (if constantly used) imparts absolute rigidity to the muscles of the neck, and intensifies the evil known as “_ewe_”-neck; but for helping the trot, and teaching sense to a youngster, the Carleton beats anything that I have ever seen.
INDEX.
Abrasion, 275
Accidents to children, 6
Adjusting mouthpiece, 74, 87
Administering ball, 265
Adonis (hunter), 42
Age at which to begin to ride, 10
Age of hunters, 214
Age symptoms, 321
Ailments, 271
Aloes, 263
Amateur blacksmiths, 322
Amateur jockeys, 321
Amateur tailors, 54
Anecdote of boy on pony, 168
Anti-rearing bit, 76
Appliances for young equestrians, 70
Apron (carriage), 326
Aspect of stables, 250
Attitude when driving, 331
Balance riding, 15, 101
Bales, 312
Balling-irons, 264
Ball mixture, 266
Balls, 263
Bandages, 270
Bandaging, 320
Bandaging eyes, 269
Bargains, 188
Bars of the mouth, 74
Baulking, 163
Beans, 246
Bearing-reins, 329
Bedding, 258
Bencraft hames, 327
Bit and bridoon, 71
Bitting, 63, 328, 329, 336, 337
Bleeding, 268
Blemishes, 41
Blinds, 255
Blinkers, 322, 329
Blistering, 267
Blood can, 268
Blood stock, 285
Bodices, 50
Boiled barley, 247
Boiler, 259
Boiling corn, 243
Boiling grain, 316
Bolts (carriage), 326
Boot for horse, 309
Boots (for riders), 47, 56, 182
Boring, 137
Box stalls, 252
Breakfast (hunting), 221
Breaking (alteration of pace), 128, 131
Breaking in, 293
Breaking intractable horse, 301
Breastplates (hunting), 308
Breeches, 55, 180
Breeding, 280
Breeding centres, 216
Bridle hand, 315
Bridles, 66
Bridling, 86
Broken knees, 277
Broken wind, 311
Bronchitis, 271
Brood Mares, 282
Brushing, 308
Buck jumping, 139
Bungling, 170
Buxton bit, 328
Calkins, 234
Cambridge bit, 71
Cantering, 101, 132, 135
Cantering in harness, 330
Carefulness, 198
Carriage covering, 326
Carrying shoe, 228
Cast under manger, 314
Cats, 260
Celluloid, 61, 199
Chaff, 247
Chifney bit, 71
Children mounting, 18
Children riding, 5
Chilled water, 248
Chloroform, 278
Clearing nostrils, 311
Clips (carriage), 326
Clover hay, 247
Cobs, 209
Colds, 271
Colic, 272
Collar shy, 325
Collars, 326
Confidence, 152
Congested lungs, 271
Consideration for servants, 124
Contrast in articles, 192
Cooked food, 241
Cooking apparatus, 259
Coolness in danger, 141
Cork girl, 65
Corns, 238, 273
Corn chest, 258
Corsets, 201
Costume for hunting, 180
Costume for road and park, 44
Costume for young learner, 18
Country riding suits, 307
Coupling reins, 330
Courtesy, 229
Covert coats, 185
Covert hack, 204
Cow kick, 132
Cracked heels, 274
Crib-biting, 319
Cupboard (stable), 259
Curb chain (adjusting), 87
Curry-comb, 313
Cutting out a single line, 227
Cutting out riding trousers, 195
Defective vision, 322
Demeanour at meet, 223
Destroying animals, 278
Diamond (racer), 35
Diarrhœa, 272
Diet for foal, 290
Dishing, 319
Dispensing with stirrup, 15, 103
Disquietude in mounting, 143
Ditch and drain falls, 172
Docking, 311
Doctoring, 262
Doors, 252
Down jumping, 149
Draught, 256
Drinks (physic), 266
Dropping, 40
Dumb jockey, 297
Dwyer curb, 71
Ear hairs, 313
Economics, 188
Educated smiths, 238
Elbows, 103
Empress in Cheshire, 70
Escaping falls, 166
Exercising youngsters, 311
Experience with mare in field, 119
Experiment with a mare, 78
Fallen trees, 147
Falling, 166
Falling on the flat, 175
False economies, 194
False quarter, 316
False refinement, 130
False teaching, 151
Farcy, 274
Fashionable coachmen, 329
Feeding, 217, 241
Feeding pail, 288
Fencing, 149
Filling feet, 314
Fire buckets, 257
Firing, 273
First class drivers, 332
Flap reins, 13
Fleam, 269
Flies, 311
Flooring, 251
Fluid physicking, 266
Foal bands, 53
Foal feeding, 288
Foot fever, 272
Foot “home,” 100, 325
Foaling, 286
Foaling-box, 287
Fomentations, 270
Ford crossing, 22
Fore-legs, 211
Fractured hoof, 239
Friction, 268
Gag-bits, 68, 69
Galloping, 136
Gaping, 75
Getting teams together, 334
Girthing, 90
Girths, 85
Glanders, 271
Glazing, 255
Gloves, 47, 258
Going at a leap, 148
Going fast at water, 152
Granary, 258
Grooming, 313
Groom’s excuses, 242
Groom’s bedroom, 260
Gruel, 247
Habit-cutting, 320
Hacks, 203
Half horned hunting snaffle, 72
Hames, 326
Hand galloping, 136
Hands, 108, 128
Hanoverian Pelham, 68
Hat fasteners, 60
Hats, 47, 186, 199
Harness rooms, 260
Haunches, 213
Hay, 246
Hayloft, 256
Heel horn (removing), 235
Heel opening, 233
Heels, 236
Height of hunter, 212
Helpers, 266
Hiring horses, 321
Hocks, 205
Holding the reins, 107
Hollow back, 35
Hoofs, 37
Horse balls, 264
Hot fitting, 323
Hunters, 203, 209
Hunters in harness, 208, 244
Hunting, 217
Hunting breastplate, 308
Hunting centres, 324
Hunting colts, 290
Hunting outfit, 179
Hunting scarlet, 323
Hustling, 308
Idle grooms, 313
Ignorant officer, 65
Immersion, 177
Impure air, 254
Incidents with Quorn hounds, 126
Indiarubber reins, 297
Indiarubber shoes, 237
Indiarubber soles, 273
Indigestion, 271
Inflamed gums, 272
Inquiring peculiarities, 125
Inspecting mounts, 123
Instructing youngsters, 296
Irish peasants, 4
Joe Anderson, 35
Jog trot, 232
Joint oil, 277
Judging hunters, 215
Jumping off a bungler, 170
Jumping youngsters, 300
Keeping hold of bridle when down, 176
Kemble Jackson mouthpiece, 337
Kickers in hunting-field, 228
Kicking, 137
Kicking-strap, 327
Knee injuries, 277
Laceration, 276
Ladies’ horses described, 35-42
Lampass, 272
Laxatives, 267
Leaders, 331, 334
Leaping, 146
Learners’ riding costume, 44
Leg-straps, 302
Leg-washing, 274
Level feeding, 257
Level-seated saddles, 17
Lever’s West-countryman, 249
Lice, 313
“Lifting” at fences, 150
Light hands, 128
Lighting (stables), 255
“Little tricks,” 125
Liverpool bit, 69
Lolling out the tongue, 75
Losing shoes, 228
Lungeing, 294
Maddened horse, 145
Mangers, 257, 314
Martingales, 77, 78
Mashes, 248
Matching horses, 335
Measurements of food, 244
Measurements of mouths, 73
Measuring boiled grain, 315
Megrim, 321
Melton mouthpiece, 68
“Mostly fools,” 169
Moths, 326
Mounting, 93-96
Mounting youngsters, 298
Mouthpieces, 307
Mouths, 307
Mud-fever, 274
Nagging, 330
Navicular disease, 272
Negligence in caring clothes, 197
Newfoundland feeding, 248
Newmarket coats, 185
Nicholl’s patent stirrup, 85, 317
Night lighting, 257
Nosebands, 77
Numbed legs, 321
Nursing stables, 288
Oats, 245
Obnoxious equestrians, 225
Oculist, 201
Offside riding, 90
Opening veins, 278
Operations, 278
Outfit for park and road riding, 47
Overdraw draw check, 336
Overlooking mount, 123
Over-reach, 275
Pad-pony, 13
Paces, 135
Pair, driving, 330
Pasturage for brood mares, 286
Patent bar, 317
Pecking, 176
Peculiarities, 125
Pelham bit, 68
Pendulous shoe, 240
Pests of the hunting-field, 168
Pets, 249
Physicking, 263
Pick-me-ups, 336
Pilots, 226
Pinning up, 269
Pistol, 318
Pleader (hunter), 22
Plugs (steel), 322
Points, 210
Poking the chin, 73
Ports, 71
Position on horseback, 97
Posts, 251
Poultices, 270
Preparation for hunting, 217
Pressing youngsters, 306
Price list, 187
Probing, 276
Projections, 252
Propellers, 161
Pullers, 137
Pulling up, 133
Purchasing horses, 33
Quartern, 323
Racehorse trotting, 206
Racing, 298
Railing hunters, 221
Rainproof garments, 61
Rarey bit, 295
Rasping hoofs, 234
Rearing, 140
Rearing bit, 76
Refusers, 158, 164
Reining back, 133
Reins, their uses, 107, 114
Restlessness, 311
Rick in the back, 316
Riding-habits, 48
Riding hats, etc., 199
Riding masters, 27
Riding to Courtown, 25
Riding to covert, 222
Ringbone, 271
Rising in saddle, 102
Road riding, 122
Roaring, 271
Roguery, 160
Rolling clear, 170
Roofing, 251
Ropebiting, 315
Rules of the field, 272
Rules of the road, 134
Running away, 143, 328
Saddle-bar (Born’s), 84
Saddle-cloths, 85
Saddle fitting, 84
Saddle-galls, 275
Saddle measurements, 84
Saddling, 80, 88
Saddling youngsters, 298
Safety pad, 13
Safety stirrups, 85
Salt in manger, 320
Sash windows, 254
Sawmouth bridoon, 309
Schooling, 151
School teaching, 147
Screw leaping head, 84
Seated shoe, 321
Secrets of leaping, 149
Segundo bit, 68
Self-teaching, 275
Selecting a mount, 29, 32
Sending by road, 221
Servants, teaching, 28, 99
Setting off, 127
Sewarrow, 56, 317
Shaft-tugs, 327
Sheep’s horn shoes, 237
Shifting saddle, 229
Shoeing, 231
Shoeing nervous horse, 309
Shoes (to last), 323
Shooting, 278
“Show” in driving, 332
Shying, 142
Silk under clothing, 199
Sires, 282
Situation (of stable), 250
Skirt without hem, 199
Slings, 269
Sluggish, 329
“Slummucking,” 150
Smiths, 238
Snaffles, 66, 67
Soft mashes, 264
Sole paring, 233
Sore throat, 271
Speed for team, 335
Splint, 273
Spurs, 317, 318
Spurs, their uses, 121, 140
Stable forks, 323
Stabling, 256
Staking, 276
Stall measurements, 252
Stalls, 252
Stanhope bit, 68
Starting youngsters, 244
Stirrups, 85
Stockings, 180
Stumbling, 142
Straw, 258
Suitability of hunting-field for ladies, 224
Supply of hay, 323
Surface drains, 251
Sutures, 269
Swollen legs, 273
Taking tired horses home, 128
Taming, 303
Tandem, 331
Team driving, 332, 335
Team practice, 334
Team standing, 334
Temperature of food, 243
Temperature of stables, 253, 323
Thorn-fencing, 156
Three-quarter shoe, 273
Throwing up the arm, 164
Thrush, 273
Tidiness, 198
Timber jumping, 153
Timidity, 160
Timidity in riding, 30
Tips (shoes), 236
Toepieces, 234
Tongue over the mouthpiece, 73
Training, 292
Training hunters to follow, 216
Trap-door, 256
Trappings for colt, 295
Trappy jumping, 154
Trappy obstacles, 153
Travelling saddle, 314
Treatment after hunting, 229
Treatment after physic, 266
Treatment of tired hunters, 229
Trotting, 129
Trousers, 54, 182
Turning corners, 120
Twitch, 264
Underclothing, 57
Unknowing ones, 324
Up-jumping, 154
Upland hay, 246
Upper jaw bit, 336
Uses of the whip, 119
Valise (to carry), 220
Variety in feeding, 248
Vegetable diet, 246
Veils, 59
Ventilation, 253
Veterinary quacks, 311
Vices, 137
Vicious horses, 115
Voice, 114
Walking paces, 127
Wall-licking, 321
Walls, 248, 251
Washing silk articles, 200
Waste in stables, 245
Water for hunters, 222
Water-jumping, 155
Water ponds, 260
Water pots, 258
Water stains, 326
Weaning, 289
Weighty shoes, 234
Wheelers, 330, 334
Whips, 59
Whistling, 271
Width of mouthpiece, 75
Wielding whip, 333
Windows, 254
Wisdom in riding, 227
Wisping, 274
Worms, 271
Wounds, 276
Yards, 257
Yearlings, 291
Youngsters in leading reins, 149
LONDON: PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITED, STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.
_ADVERTISEMENTS._
WM. SCOTT & CO., LADIES’ TAILORS,
37, DUKE STREET, ST. JAMES’S, LONDON.
WM. SCOTT & CO.,
HABIT MAKERS TO THE AUTHORESS.
(_For Specimen see Frontispiece._)
SOLE MAKERS OF THE ROYAL MEATH HABIT.
37, DUKE STREET, St. JAMES’S, LONDON,
And at SACKVILLE STREET, DUBLIN.
BEST QUALITY, HAND-SEWN BOOTS AND SHOES,
At 30 per cent. less than West End prices.
ESTAB. 1839. N. THIERRY. ESTAB. 1839.
The Largest Stock and Largest Sale in England of
LADIES’ RIDING BOOTS.
EVERY DESCRIPTION OF BOOTS AND SHOES MADE TO ORDER IN A FEW DAYS.
SPECIAL LASTS KEPT FOR EVERY CUSTOMER.
London, 70, REGENT STREET, QUADRANT, W. 48, GRESHAM ST., & 131, FENCHURCH ST., E.C. MANCHESTER, 2, St. Ann’s Square. LIVERPOOL, 5, Bold Street.
_ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES POST FREE._
PRICES OF A FEW ARTICLES, LADIES’ DEPARTMENT.
BOOTS.
Button or Lace 16/6 Do. do. Polish, Louis XV. Heels, 21/- Do. Alpine or Tourist, 23/- to 25/-
SHOES.
Oxford Tie Morocco, 10/6; Glacé, 12/6 Do. do. Glacé Kid, Louis XV. Heels, 17/6 Patent Dress Court Shoes 7/6
A LARGE STOCK of Children’s Boots and Shoes, very durable and comfortable, at Moderate Prices, and
EVERY VARIETY OF GENTLEMEN’S RIDING, SHOOTING, WALKING, AND DRESS BOOTS AND SHOES.
AN OLD BOOT IS SUFFICIENT GUIDE FOR SIZE TO ENSURE A GOOD FIT.
PLEASE NOTE!--70, Quadrant, Regent Street, as there is another house same name in the street.
“_The most noted firm of Ladies’ Tailors in the world, and be it said the most original._”--COURT JOURNAL.
By Special Appointments to
Her Majesty the Queen.
H.R.H. the Princess of Wales.
H.R. and I.H. the Duchess of Edinburgh.
H.R.H. the Princess Louise.
H.R.H. the Princess Mary of Teck.
By Special Appointments to
H.I.M. the Empress of Russia.
H.M. the Queen of Denmark.
H.M. the Queen of Portugal.
H.R.H. the Duchess of Connaught.
H.R.H. the Princess Beatrice.
REDFERN,
LADIES’ TAILOR,
26, CONDUIT STREET, LONDON, W.
RIDING HABITS,
WITH ALL THE LATEST IMPROVEMENTS.
For HUNTING.
For THE ROW.
Their new Safety Skirt, cut on an entirely new principle, combines with elegance the greatest comfort and security to the wearer.
“Habits are still worn short * * * REDFERN has introduced a novelty which, while giving greater freedom to the pommel knee and rendering the risk of the habit catching much less than usual, fits to a nicety.”--_Daily News_, Nov. 23rd, 1882.
SPECIALITIES IN COVERT & DRIVING COATS.
Branches--COWES (I.W.), PARIS, and NEW YORK.
_To Ladies living in the country and abroad_, Messrs. REDFERN _forward Patterns of the newest materials for habits, &c. post free on application, and guarantee a perfect fit without a personal interview._
HENRY PEAT & CO.,
SADDLERS AND HARNESS MAKERS,
By Appointment to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales,
173, PICCADILLY, LONDON.
SADDLERY OF EVERY DESCRIPTION
FOR
INDIA, AMERICA, AND THE COLONIES.
JAMES MCMILLAN,
HUNTING BOOT MAKER,
104, JERMYN STREET, PICCADILLY, S.W.
LADIES’
‘ECONOMICAL,’ ‘PARK,’ ‘CROSS COUNTRY,’ ‘TROPICAL,’ ‘NEWMARKET,’
AND ALL KINDS OF
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HOARE & SONS,
Specialité Habit Makers & Ladies’ Tailors,
252 & 253, HIGH HOLBORN, LONDON.
ESTABLISHED 1847.
“Ladies looking for high-class Tailoring at _reasonable_ charges for Cash payment would do well to give this old-established House a visit.”
“Evidently, only the most careful and experienced Foremen Tailors and best Workmanship obtainable are employed.”
Habits for Park or Country, from 5 to 8 Guineas.
Specialité “PRINCESS” Habit, as worn by H.I.M. the Empress of Austria.
HOARE & SONS’ own Registered Shape, from 6 to 9 Guineas.
Walking or Travelling Gowns, 4 to 8 Guineas.
Ulsters, from 3 Guineas. Covert Coats, from 2½ Guineas.
Specialité for Travelling--Lady’s Ocean Coat (regd.), with Removable Cape and Hood, from 4 Guineas.
COUNTRY ORDERS.
Ladies can now be fitted as perfectly as if in Town by the assistance of a Pattern Bodice (which can be sent by post), and a few measures taken by our Registered System, thereby avoiding trouble and delay. This department is under the personal supervision of a member of the Firm, and has proved most successful in every instance.
_Patterns, Estimates, and Illustrations of the Newest Fashions Post Free._
IF YOU DESIRE REALLY WELL-POLISHED BOOTS, USE
E. BROWN & SON’S ROYAL MELTONIAN BLACKING. It renders them beautifully soft, durable, and waterproof, while its lustre equals the most brilliant patent leather.
E. BROWN & SON’S NONPAREIL DE GUICHE PARISIAN POLISH for Dress Boots and Shoes, is more elastic and less difficult in its use than any other.
E. BROWN & SON’S WATERPROOF VARNISH, for Hunting, Shooting, and Fishing Boots, is strongly recommended to all Sportsmen.
E. BROWN & SON’S BROWN TOP-BOOT FLUID, POLISH, and POWDERS of all Colours.
E. BROWN & SON’S MELTONIAN CREAM, for Renovating all kinds of Patent Leather, Furniture, &c.
E. BROWN & SON’S ROYAL KID REVIVER for all kinds of Black Kid, Leather, &c.
E. BROWN & SON’S WATERPROOF HARNESS POLISH is far superior to all others! it requires neither Oil nor Dye.
MANUFACTORY:
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And at 26, Rue Bergere, Paris.
E. BROWN & SON,
Purveyors to Her Majesty,
WERE AWARDED THE PRIZE MEDAL, 1862.
_Retail Everywhere. Telephone, 3765._
RICHARD T. MARTIN,
LADIES’ TAILOR AND COSTUMIER,
TO THE
NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND,
85 & 86 GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN.
_CELEBRATED FOR_
TRAVELLING AND WALKING COSTUMES,
GOWNS, COATS, DOLMANS,
AND
RIDING HABITS.
_A large Assortment of all the leading Home and Foreign Materials always in Stock. An Inspection Solicited._
ALFRED MANNING,
ROBES, MODES, NOUVEAUTÉS,
TO HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS OF WALES,
AND
THE IRISH COURT,
102 and 103, GRAFTON STREET,
DUBLIN.
MR. JOHN FREEMAN, F.R.C.V.S.,
Veterinary Infirmary,
32, DAWSON STREET,
DUBLIN,
AND
GEORGE’S STREET,
_KINGSTOWN_.
T. H. FIELDER,
78, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN,
_Late of LONDON, PARIS and NEW YORK_,
LADIES’ TAILOR,
NOTED FOR
MANTLES, FURS,
WALKING, TRAVELLING, TENNIS, AND YACHTING GOWNS,
JACKETS, COATS, AND ULSTERS.
COSTUMES FROM STOCK AND TO ORDER.
LADIES TAILOR TO HER EXCELLENCY COUNTESS OF ABERDEEN, COUNTESS OF CARNARVON,
AND THE
NOBILITY AND GENTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND.
_Ladies living at a distance can rely on a PERFECT FIT by sending a Bodice for size._
THE BEST MATERIALS, THOROUGHLY SHRUNK.
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_MODERATE PRICES. Discount 5 per Cent. for Cash._
All Garments produced under the Personal Supervision of
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78, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN.
_W. THACKER & CO., LONDON._
_THACKER, SPINK & CO., CALCUTTA._
“Splendidly Illustrated Record of Sport.”--GRAPHIC.
In Demy 4to. Thirty Plates and Map, £2 2_s._
LARGE GAME SHOOTING
IN THIBET AND THE NORTH-WEST.
BY COLONEL ALEXANDER A. KINLOCH.
“Colonel Kinloch, who has killed most kinds of Indian game, small and great, relates incidents of his varied sporting experiences in chapters, which are each descriptive of a different animal. The photogravures of the heads of many of the animals, from the grand gauer, popularly miscalled the bison, downwards, are extremely clever and spirited.”--_Times._
STERNDALE’S
MAMMALIA OF INDIA.
ONE HUNDRED AND SEVENTY ILLUSTRATIONS. 18_s._ 0_d._
In Imperial 16mo. Uniform with “Riding,” “Hindu Mythology,” and “Riding for Ladies.” 18_s._ 0_d._
A NATURAL HISTORY
OF THE
MAMMALIA OF INDIA.
BY R. A. STERNDALE, F.R.G.S., F.Z.S., &c.
AUTHOR OF “SEONEE,” “THE DENIZENS OF THE JUNGLE,” “THE AFGHAN KNIFE,” ETC.
WITH 170 ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR AND OTHERS.
“The notices of each animal are, as a rule, short, though on some of the larger mammals--the lion, tiger, pard, boar, &c.--ample and interesting details are given, including occasional anecdotes of adventure.”--_The Times._
“Has contrived to hit a happy mean between the stiff scientific treatise and the bosh of what maybe called anecdotal zoology.”--_The Daily News._
“The very model of what a popular natural history should be.”--_Knowledge._
Oblong Imperial 4to. 16_s._
DENIZENS OF THE JUNGLES:
A Series of Sketches of Wild Animals,
_ILLUSTRATING THEIR FORMS AND NATURAL ATTITUDES_.
WITH LETTERPRESS DESCRIPTION OF EACH PLATE.
BY R. A. STERNDALE, F.R.G.S., F.Z.S.,
AUTHOR OF “NATURAL HISTORY OF THE MAMMALIA OF INDIA,” “SEONEE,” ETC.
I.--Denizens of the Jungles. Aborigines--Deer--Monkeys.
II.--“On the Watch.” Tiger.
III.--“Not so Fast Asleep as he Looks.” Panther--Monkeys.
IV.--“Waiting for Father.” Black Bears of the Plains.
V.--“Rival Monarchs.” Tiger and Elephant.
VI.--“Hors de Combat.” Indian Wild Boar and Tiger.
VII.--“A Race for Life.” Blue Bull and Wild Dogs.
VIII.--“Meaning Mischief.” The Gaur--Indian Bison.
IX.--“More than His Match.” Buffalo and Rhinoceros.
X.--“A Critical Moment.” Spotted Deer and Leopard.
XI.--“Hard Hit.” The Sambur.
XII.--“Mountain Monarchs.” Marco Polo’s Sheep.
“The plates are admirably executed by photo-lithography from the author’s originals, every line and touch being faithfully preserved. It is a volume which will be eagerly studied on many a table. Mr. Sterndale has many an amusing and exciting anecdote to add to the general interest of the work.”--_Broad Arrow._
“The Volume is well got up and the Drawings are spirited and natural.”--_Illustrated London News._
LAYS OF IND. By ALIPH CHEEM.
COMIC, SATIRICAL, AND DESCRIPTIVE.
Poems Illustrative of Anglo-Indian Life.
_Seventh Edition. Enlarged. Cloth, gilt._ 10_s._ 6_d._
“This is a remarkably bright little book. ‘Aliph Cheem,’ supposed to be the _nom-de-plume_ of an officer in the 18th Hussars, is, after his fashion, an Indian Bon Gaultier. In a few of the poems the jokes, turning on local names and customs, are somewhat esoteric; but, taken throughout, the verses are characterised by high animal spirits, great cleverness, and most excellent fooling.”--_The World._
“Highly amusing ballads and songs, which have already in a former edition warmed the hearts and cheered the lonely hours of many an Anglo-Indian, the pictures being chiefly those of Indian life. There is no mistaking the humour, and at times, indeed, the fun is both ‘fast and furious.’ Many portions remind us of the ‘Bab Ballads.’ One can readily imagine the merriment created round the camp fire by the recitation of ‘The Two Thumpers,’ which is irresistibly droll.”--_Liverpool Mercury._
“One of the most superb little presentation books we have ever seen.”--_Indian Mail._
“The ‘Lays’ are not only Anglo-Indian in origin, but out-and-out Anglo-Indian in subject and colour. To one who knows something of life at an Indian ‘station’ they will be especially amusing. Their exuberant fun at the same time may well attract the attention of the ill-defined individual known as ‘the general reader.’”--_Scotsman._
Uniform with “Lays of Ind,” “Riding,” &c. 10_s._ 6_d._
HINDU MYTHOLOGY:
VEDIC AND PURANIC.
BY
REV. W. J. WILKINS,
OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY, CALCUTTA.
_Illustrated by very numerous Engravings from Drawings by Native Artists._
REVIEWS.
“His aim has been to give a faithful account of the Hindoo deities such as an intelligent native would himself give, and he has endeavoured, in order to achieve his purpose, to keep his mind free from prejudice or theological bias. To help to completeness he has included a number of drawings of the principal deities, executed by native artists. The author has attempted a work of no little ambition, and has succeeded in his attempt, the volume being one of great interest and usefulness; and not the less so because he has strictly refrained from diluting his facts with comments of his own. It has numerous illustrations.”--_Home News._
“Mr. Wilkins has done his work well, with an honest desire to state facts apart from all theological prepossession, and his volume is likely to be a useful book of reference.”--_Guardian._
“In Mr. Wilkins’ book we have an illustrated manual, the study of which will lay a solid foundation for more advanced knowledge, while it will furnish those who may have the desire, without having the time or opportunity to go further into the subject, with a really extensive stock of accurate information.”--_Indian Daily News._
In Imperial 16mo., uniform with “Lays of Ind,” “Riding,” “Riding for Ladies,” &c. 8_s._ 6_d._
THE
TRIBES ON MY FRONTIER:
An Indian Naturalist’s Foreign Policy.
BY EHA.
WITH FIFTY ILLUSTRATIONS BY F. C. MACRAE.
This remarkably clever work most graphically and humorously describes the surroundings of a Mofussil bungalow. The twenty chapters embrace a year’s experiences, and provide endless sources of amusement and suggestion. The numerous able illustrations add very greatly to the interest of the volume, which will find a place on every table.
_THE CHAPTERS ARE_--
I. A Durbar. II. The Rats. III. The Mosquitos. IV. The Lizards. V. The Ants. VI. The Crows. VII. The Bats. VIII. Bees, Wasps, et hoc genus omne. IX. The Spiders. X. The Butterfly: Hunting Him. XI. The Butterfly: Contemplating Him. XII. The Frogs. XIII. The Bugs. XIV. The Birds of the Garden. XV. The Birds at the Mango Tope. XVI. The Birds at the Tank. XVII. The Poultry Yard. XVIII. The White Ants. XIX. The Hypodermatikosyringophoroi. XX. Etcetera.
“Always amusing and never dull.”--_Field._
“Full of accurate and unfamiliar observation.”--_Saturday Review._
“Has the advantage of needing no preliminary knowledge of Natural History for its enjoyment.”--_Westminster Review._
_Imperial 16mo._ 18_s._ 0_d._
Uniform with “Lays of Ind,” “Hindu Mythology,” “Riding,” “Natural History of the Mammalia of India,” &c.
A POPULAR HANDBOOK
OF
INDIAN FERNS.
BY COLONEL R. H. BEDDOME,
AUTHOR OF “THE FERNS OF BRITISH INDIA,” “THE FERNS OF SOUTHERN INDIA.”
“It is the first special book of portable size and moderate price which has been devoted to Indian Ferns, and is in every way deserving of the extensive circulation it is sure to obtain.”--_Nature_, June 14th, 1883.
“I have just seen a new work on Indian Ferns which will prove vastly interesting, not only to the Indian people, but to the botanists of this country.”--_Indian Daily News._
“‘The Ferns of India.’ This is a good book, being of a useful and trustworthy character. The species are familiarly described, and most of them illustrated by small figures.”--_Gardeners’ Chronicle._
“Those interested in botany will do well to procure a new work on the ‘Ferns of British India.’ The work will prove a first-class text-book.”--_Free Press._
_THREE HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR._
Uniform with “RIDING FOR LADIES.”
_Second Edition. Revised and Enlarged. Imperial 16mo. 10s. 6d._
RIDING:
ON THE FLAT AND ACROSS COUNTRY.
A Guide to Practical Horsemanship.
BY CAPT. M. H. HAYES.
_PROFUSELY ILLUSTRATED BY STURGESS._
_Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News._--“The book is one that no man who has ever sat in a saddle can fail to read with interest.”
_The Field._--“The general directions are in most cases in accordance with our own opinions; and Mr. Hayes has supplemented his own experience of race-riding by resorting to Tom Cannon, Fordham, and other well-known jockeys for illustration. ‘The Guide’ is, on the whole, thoroughly reliable; and both the illustrations and the printing do credit to the publishers.”
_The Sporting Life._--“It has, however, been reserved for Captain Hayes to write what in our opinion will be generally accepted as the most comprehensive, enlightened, and ‘all round’ work on riding, bringing to bear as he does not only his own great experience, but the advice and practice of many of the best recognised horsemen of the period.”
In Imperial 16mo. Illustrated. 8_s._ 6_d._
INDIAN
RACING REMINISCENCES:
BEING
_ENTERTAINING NARRATIVES AND ANECDOTES OF MEN, HORSES, AND SPORT. ILLUSTRATED WITH TWENTY-TWO PORTRAITS AND A NUMBER OF SMALLER ENGRAVINGS._
BY CAPT. M. HORACE HAYES.
AUTHOR OF “RIDING ON THE FLAT AND ACROSS COUNTRY,” “VETERINARY NOTES FOR HORSE OWNERS,” “TRAINING AND HORSE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA,” ETC.
“The book is full of racy anecdote.... He is well known as an authority on everything connected with the horse and horse-racing.”--_Bell’s Life_.
“All sportsmen who can appreciate a book on racing, written in a chatty style and full of anecdote, will like Captain Hayes’ latest work.”--_Field_.
“The book is valuable from the fact that many hints on the treatment of horses are included.”--_Illustrated Sporting and Dramatic News_.
“Many a racing anecdote and many a curious character our readers will find in the book, which is very well got up, embellished with many portraits.”--_Baily’s Magazine_.
Second Edition, in Crown 8vo, Illustrated. 10_s._ 6_d._
VETERINARY NOTES FOR HORSE-OWNERS.
_AN EVERY-DAY HORSE BOOK._
BY CAPT. M. HORACE HAYES.
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.
_Saturday Review._--“The work is written in a clear and practical way.”
_The Field._--“Of the many popular veterinary books which have come under our notice, this is certainly one of the most scientific and reliable. The author tells us, in the preface to the first edition, that any merit which the book may possess is to be ascribed to the teaching of the Principal and Professors of the New Veterinary College at Edinburgh, where he studied. It is much to be desired that every student would make so much use of his opportunities as Capt. Hayes has done.
“Some notice is accorded to nearly all the diseases which are common to horses in this country, and the writer takes advantage of his Indian experiences to touch upon several maladies of horses in that country, where veterinary surgeons are few and far between. The description of symptoms and the directions for the application of remedies are given in perfectly plain terms, which the tyro will find no difficulty in comprehending; and, for the purpose of further smoothing his path, a chapter is given on veterinary medicines, their actions, uses, and doses. This information will be most acceptable to the majority of horse-owners, and may be invaluable on an emergency when no advice better than that of the village cow doctor can be obtained.”
Crown 8vo. 7_s._ 6_d._
A
TEA PLANTER’S LIFE IN ASSAM
BY GEORGE M. BARKER.
_WITH SEVENTY-FIVE ILLUSTRATIONS BY THE AUTHOR._
This book aims at conveying to all interested in India and the Tea industry an entertaining and useful account of the topographical features of Assam; the strange surroundings--human and animal--of the European Resident; the trying Climate; the Daily Life of the planter; and general details of the formation and working of Tea Gardens.
The illustrations, by the Author, add greatly to the interest of the work.
“Mr. Barker has supplied us with a very good and readable description, accompanied by numerous illustrations drawn by himself. What may be called the business parts of the book are of most value.”--_Contemporary Review._
“Cheery, well-written little book.”--_Graphic._
“A very interesting and amusing book, artistically illustrated from sketches drawn by the Author.”--_Mark Lane Express._
Fourth Edition, Crown 8vo. (_in preparation_).
A
MANUAL OF GARDENING
FOR
BENGAL AND UPPER INDIA.
BY THOMAS A. C. FIRMINGER, M.A.
THOROUGHLY REVISED AND BROUGHT DOWN TO THE PRESENT TIME BY
J. H. JACKSON,
_Editor of “The Indian Agriculturist.”_