VICES AND DAXGKROUS UABITS OF THE HORSE. 367 



Nothing can be more absurd than to clothe coach and 

 post-horses in the stable, because when out of doors tliis 

 cannot be done, and the consequence is, it renders them 

 extremely susceptible to colds and inflammation. "Wlien 

 horses are overheated and have occasion to stand any length 

 of time in the street, it will be a very proper precaution to 

 throw a cloth over their loins, but this will be only neces- 

 sary in very cold weather. In summer it ^vould be rather 

 injurious than otherwise. 



But with horses that are used for riding, the greatest 

 attention must be paid to prevent them being subjected to 

 any sudden transition from heat to cold ; and, as above 

 noticed, good grooming is the best and surest preventive. 



We would recommend that all stables should be provided 

 with a thermometer, so as to enable the groom to preserve, 

 as far as possible, a unifonn temperature. 



■ CHAPTER XV. 



VICES AXD DANGEROUS HABITS OF THE HORSE. 



The horse is an animal of a noble and generous disposition. 

 and naturally possessed of few vices, although ho is occa- 

 sionally met with having a bad and even furious temper, 

 and, as may be expected, manifests great variety of natural 

 habit. Ilis vices, however, are too often attributable to the 

 effects of improper training, and to tricks which he is taught 

 by the bad treatment and folly of his groom or keeper. 



The first breaking-in of the horse should only be in- 

 trusted to persons of mild dispositions, as it is by kind and 



