His feet are thrust into a pair of botas de potro, or colt's-foot boots, manufactured from the hide of a colt's fore-leg, which he strips off whole, chafes in his hand until it becomes pliable and soft, sews up at the lower extremity,and puts on, the best riding-boot that the habitable world can show.

poterna, f., postern, small back door (or gate). potro, m., colt, foal.