( '58 ) 



To make an animal ufeful is no doubt, the 

 firft confideration : and to make a horfe fo, 

 we muft necefTarily make him fuffer fome 

 things, which are unnatural^ becaufe we take 

 him out of a Jlate of nature. He muft be 

 fed with hay, and corn in winter, which 

 he cannot get in his open paftures : for if 

 he have exercife beyond nature ', he muft have 

 fuch food, as will enable him to bear it. 

 As it is necefTary likewife to make our roads 

 hard, and durable, it is neceflary alfo to give 

 the horfe an iron-hoof, that he may travel 



over them without injuring his feet. 



But all this has nothing to do with his tail, 

 which is equally ufeful in a reclaimed and in a 

 natural ftate. 



Yes, fays the advocate for docking ; as it 

 is neceflary for the horfe to travel, to hunt, 

 and to race, it is ufeful to lighten him of 

 every incumbrance. And as it is necefTary 

 for him to travel through dirty roads j it is 

 ufeful to rid him of an inftrument, which is 

 continually collecting dirt, and laming it over 

 himfelf, and his rider. 



To eafe your horfe of every incumbrance 

 in travelling, is certainly right. You mould 

 fee that his bridle, and faddle, (which are 



his 



