776 THE AMERICAN FARMER. 



moment, or by some other means, rather than cause the animal so much suffering as would 

 be incurred by inserting a frosty bit, which will be liable to result in not only pain at the 

 time, but a sore tongue and mouth which will be constantly irritated, sometimes rendering it 

 difficult to eat the food given them, causing loss of appetite and consequent loss of strength. 



The use of the India-rubber as well as the leather bit is to be recommended during the 

 cold season, since they obviate the evil effects of iron or steel in frosty weather. 



Blinders. These are not only a useless but an objectionable appendage to a bridle, 

 and are without doubt in many cases the cause of diseased eyes and blindness. Besides, a 

 horse is more apt to take fright when he can get only a partial view of an object, than 

 if he could obtain a full view of it. Sudden or loud startling sounds, like those from a loco 

 motive, would be much more likely to frighten a horse when his eyes are so blinded that he 

 cannot tell from whence the sounds proceed. A nervous, timid horse would naturally think 

 it something terrible in pursuit of him, and run to get away from it, and a serious accident 

 might be the result, while if he could see the object, this might be avoided. A recent writer 

 has well said of blinders: 



&quot; We know not who invented this instrument of horse torture, but we know he did not 

 understand the anatomy and physiology of the eye of a horse. Human vision is binocular 

 that is, we see the same object with both our eyes, and so adjust the axis of vision that the 

 object appears single, though seen with two eyes. But the eyes of the horse are placed on 

 the sides of the head, and the axis of each eye is nearly at angles with the longitudinal line 

 of the body, so that it is impossible that the same object can be distinctly seen by both eyes. 

 Now, by blinding the eye in the direction in which it was intended, in its construction, that 

 it should see, it is forced to use an oblique vision, as if we should cover the front of our 

 optics and be compelled to see only by the corners of our eyes. This unnatural and con 

 strained use of the eye must, to a greater or less extent, impair vision, if not entirely destroy 

 it. The object for which the blind-bridle is used is not accomplished by it. A horse is more 

 readily frightened when he cannot see the object of his dread, than if he can have a fair view 

 of it. Nineteen out of every twenty horses you see in harness have blind-bridles on, and if 

 you ask the owner to explain its benefits, or why he uses it, he will be utterly unable to 

 give a rational answer.&quot; 



Clipping Horses. The advocates of this practice claim it to be a means of promoting 

 the general health of the animal, and a prevention of colds and lung fever, also that it 

 increases, at the same time, his activity and appetite. The main advantage claimed for it is, 

 that when a horse with a heavy coat has been driven in cold weather sufficient to cause his 

 hair to become wet with perspiration, and as soon as he halts is liable to take cold, even 

 when immediately blanketed, since the hair remains wet so long; that clipping and keeping 

 the animal blanketed, except while being driven, will obviate the evil. 



The opponents of clipping, on the other hand, assert that it is not only cruel, being the 

 cause of much unnecessary suffering from insufficient protection against the cold, but that it 

 is equally injurious to the health, frequently producing disease and death. There may 

 be instances, and doubtless are, where horses may receive such careful attention that clipping 

 will do no injury, and by this means they may be enabled to perform more labor and with 

 greater dispatch than when undipped; but we are of the opinion that Nature s method is 

 best, and when she gives him a fine, short summer coat that lies smoothly upon his skin, and 

 a heavier and coarser covering for winter, she knows better than man what is best for the 

 animal. 



Besides, very few horses when clipped are sufficiently well protected to be furnished with 

 a fair substitute for the coat that has been removed, the hood and blanket only covering the 

 head and upper portion of the body, while the under portions and limbs are entirely exposed. 



