The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-17
HATS FOR HORSES.
The =. II. c. A. Thinks the Coverings
Prevent SunstrOke.
New York Evening Sun.

new YORK Evening sun.
The horse sunbonnets in use in New
York, if we except the case of one candy
manufacturer whose team of show horses
on his fanciest wagon wear very eXpen-
sive and large hats Of the fanciest straw,
are of the cheapest grade and made to
appeal only to the truck driver. And, to
add TO the discomfort of the horses wear
ing them. many OF them, given away
free. are made to bear the advertising an
nouncements Of the donors. and the last
hope Of a respectable appearance is thus
lost.
one manufacturer, who says that he was
practically the first to introduce the horse
bonnet into this country, in the summer Of
1900, has issued a colored poster sheet this
year showing about thirty different styles
OF hats for horses, but IL is all on paper,
and the styles on the market are prac-
tically only three in number, a little wire
frame awning, generally done in patriotic
colors. making a fourth. The straw hats,
although they sell for about 20 or 30 cents
apiece, come way from Japan, only the
finishing touches being put upon the bonnet
in this country. and are Of variegated coll
ors. The little awning hat, which sells for
80 cents, is purely an American product.
II has merit as a "head-cOOler." but little
beauty. Another head-cOOler built not for
style, but for eomfOIL only, is q thick felt
pad which fits between the horses ears.
The popular cabbage-leaf, tucked under the
bride straps, Is still in use as "A sixth
variety Of American hOrse-bonnet, and
mention should be made also Of the old
time country custom Of literally covering a
horses head and back with leafy branches
on hot summer days to furnish protection
from flies and sun.
II all of the various devices that have
been employed TO protect a horse from the
sun and flies were to be attached TO one
particular horse the effect would be start
ling. Many persons can remember the
little awnings which were i'm common use
thirty years ago for protecting the horses
loins from the sun. The horses backbone
begins at his ears and ends at his tail, it
was said. and there is more need of pro-
tecting the end of il than the beginning.
Then there were the oVeralls. TO keep the
flies from biting at the horses legs, a bit
OF horse dress seldom seen now except in
parades on the Fourth of July. when these
overails are made OF red. white and blue.
and the worried horse steps gingerly along
in them.
The sponge is no longer used in, the
horses sunbonnet. except by a few persons
not I'D on the latest advices on the sub
ject. 1t has been found that the sponge
does more harm than good, for the reason
that II remains moist only a short time.
and once dry is a dead weight on the
horses head. The high conical crown OF
the straw hat Is supposed TO afford all
necessary protection from heat rays. and
il is pointed out that If a sponge were de-
sirable man would have worn one I'm his hat
long ago. AS a matter or fact. the hat in
dorsed most freely by the Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty 10 Animals, which
early recommended the general adoption
OF the horse sunbonnet. Is the little wire