Related article: use of the expression, «* the Bird- catcher breed," without thinking of the origin. It is, of course, derived from the grey hairs, which look as if salt had been sprinkled on the tail. The " sweep's hand " is another favourite expression as applied to a black patch on the quarter of a chesnut, and it is an almost un- failing sign of Blair Athol blood in chesnuts. The legend says that a sweep placed his sooty hand on the quarter of Blair Athol's sire immediately after the service of his dam. I899-] THE COLOUR OF HORSES. 183 I have often asked cavalry officers who have had experience in India of squadrons matched by colour (there is a tradition that this is forbidden on home service, and as a matter of fact it seldom gets beyond troops Purchase Claritin being matched in each squadron) whether they noticed any difference in the way they worked. Their invariable answer has been that the black and brown squadrons drilled steadiest and Buy Claritin D the chesnuts were the most unruly. Hunting men must have no- ticed that the steadiest and hardiest horses in the hunt are, as a rule, the browns with light- coloured muzzles and a white star on the forehead. This is said to have been the typical colour of the old English roadster. Washy or mealy- legged Claritin D Online horses of any colour are usually detested by horse-masters, and are known as of a " soft " colour. Science duly corroborates experience in this respect by attributing light- ness of colour in the extremities to indifferent circulation of the blood and consequent weakness of Generic Claritin constitution. The very preva- lent idea that a horse which has no white about him is deficient in intelligence has probably good foundation. The Arabs attribute good luck to a white star ; per- sonally I have never heard of anyone having good luck with a stupid horse. The South African Boer, if asked his opinion as to the best colour for a horse, will say either schimmel (grey) or rooi schimmel (red roan). The Boer's preference for these colours may very proba- bly originate in the remarkable stamina imparted to their breed Cheap Claritin D of horses by the grey Arab stal- lions which the officers of John Company brought to the Cape in the old days when an officer could take leave to the Cape without diminution of Indian pay. When we consider how severely the Boers test a horse destined for their own riding, we may acknow- ledge that they are fully Purchase Claritin Online qualified to speak on the subject of stamina. A Boer will take a Claritin Cheap horse up from grass and will saddle him before dawn and ride him, without off- saddling till nightfall. This at the ordinary "trekking" pace, may mean a journey of anything from seventy to ninety miles. If the animal cannot do this, the Boer does not consider him good enough to keep for his own riding or as a shooting horse. Imagine the strategical value of a force of really good shots, so mounted, campaigning where they have a thorough knowledge of the country. In these degenerate days those " who live at home at ease " can hardly appreciate the extraordi- nary value placed upon stamina by those who are compelled to " put their Claritin Online trust in horses." The following story is told by the Emir Abd-el-Kader, as illus- trating the Arab's belief in colour as affecting stamina : — " Ben Dyab, a renowned chief of the desert, happening one day to be pursued after a foray by the enemy, turned to his son and asked, ' What horses are in front of the enemy ? ' ' White horses,' replied his son. ' It is well ; let us make for the sunny side, and they will melt away like butter.* Some time afterwards Ben Dyab again turned to his son and said, ' What horses are in front of the enemy ? ' ' Black horses,' cried his son. * It is well ; let us make for stony ground, and we shall have nothing to fear ; they are the negroes of the Soudan, who cannot walk with bare feet on the flints.' He changed his course, and the black horses were speedily out-distanced. A third time Ben 1 84 baily's magazine. [March Dyab asked, ' And now, Where To Buy Claritin D what horses are in the front of the enemy ? ' * Dark chesnuts and bays.' ' In that case,' exclaimed Ben Dyab, ' strike out, Buy Claritin D Online my chil- dren, strike out, and give your horses the heel, for these might perchance overtake us, had we not given barley to ours all the summer through.' " Reiver. A Word in Season. Pheasant or fox ? Saddle or gun ? That is the question ! both give us fun. Foxes with pheasants can live within reason, Try for the two, and a jolly good season ! Shoot a bit early, hunt a bit late, Give in a Where To Buy Claritin little each side, and the gate Soon will fly open, ready to greet Huntsman and hounds with the foxes to treat. Let us be friendly ; soon we shall find Modus vivendi, if we've the mind. Englishmen never can live without sport, Making us heroes, so we've been taught. Don't let us quarrel ; he who can ride Can't always shoot, and on t'other side He who is ready and keener to shoot Isn't always possessed with a leg for a boot ! Try a word face to face ; it must surely be better Than the curtest of notes, or the best written letter. Talk over your troubles, and don't let a pen Spoil sport when it should be a " blessing to men." J. H. W. 1899] 1 8 5 Saddle Bars and Stirrups : Safety and Otherwise.