287

BOB-TAILED NAGS OUT OF FASHION.

I happened to go through the largest stable on the Back Bay a while ago, and in the saddle-horse department I noticed two nags, one with the ugly little banged tail that looks like a worn-out house-painter's brush, and the other with a beautfiul flowing tail, so long that it almost swept the ground. I paused to observe the contrast, and was pleased to hear from my companion, a high authority on matters equine, that bob-tails were going out of fashion and the long, natural tails coming in. The former have been and Anglo-maniac absurdity in this country; they were justified in England for the design was to avoid catching their tails in hedges as they leaped them when hunting, but as we have few hedges in this country, and less hunting- of that kind at least- the docked tail has been simply a silly imitation. Possibly the change of fashion may also be of English origin, for Buffalo Bill and his cow-boys made a great hit in London with their graceful riding. Now, if our horsemen could only adopt, with their handsome steeds with full manes and tails after the Arabian or Mexican mustang style, some costume like the Mexican churro, and substitue a firm seat for the agonizing rise in the saddle now the fashion, what picturesque fellow would be! -N.Y. Corr. Springfield Republican.

BOB-TAILED NAGS OUT OF FASHION.

I happened to go through the largest stable on the Back Bay a while ago, and in the saddle-horse department I noticed two nags, one with the ugly little banged tail that looks like a worn-out house-painter's brush, and the other with a beautfiul flowing tail, so long that it almost swept the ground. I paused to observe the contrast, and was pleased to hear from my companion, a high authority on matters equine, that bob-tails were going out of fashion and the long, natural tails coming in. The former have been and Anglo-maniac absurdity in this country; they were justified in England for the design was to avoid catching their tails in hedges as they leaped them when hunting, but as we have few hedges in this country, and less hunting- of that kind at least- the docked tail has been simply a silly imitation. Possibly the change of fashion may also be of English origin, for Buffalo Bill and his cow-boys made a great hit in London with their graceful riding. Now, if our horsemen could only adopt, with their handsome steeds with full manes and tails after the Arabian or Mexican mustang style, some costume like the Mexican churro, and substitue a firm seat for the agonizing rise in the saddle now the fashion, what picturesque fellow would be! -N.Y. Corr. Springfield Republican.