^0 Eixerci$f. 



huhianity arc equally concerned, in the adoption of a mode of 

 using and managing them, very different from, and more rational 

 than, that, ^vhich one sees every day practiced. For, though one 

 of the most glaring and prime evils, connected with this considera- 

 tion, is, the practice of begining to work Horses at the period of, 

 what may be termed, their infancy, that is,, long before they have 

 attained either the height or the bulk which they would naturally 

 arrive at, yet, to this important error in the outset, must be super- 

 added a long list of absurdities, which arc to be found in the cata- 

 logue, of our ordinary stable regulations. Our conduct, indeed, in 

 this view of the subject, nmy be aptly, and fairly enough, compared 

 to that of a man, who, having employed an architect to build him a 

 house, and appearing anxious to possess all the advantages which 

 the original design seemed to hold out ; should begin to dilapidate and 

 destroy the materials, before the building was completed. 



Ilavingalready noticed the evil consequences of working very young 

 Horses, so far as their feet alone are concerned in the question ; and 

 fully agreeing with Mr. Bracy Clark, in his enlarged views of, and 

 important inductions upon, this subject; I have no hesitation in 

 affirming, that to him the honour chiefly belongs, of removing the 

 thick and apparently impenetrable veil of mystery, which had, for 

 ages, hung over this branch, of the Veterinary art. 



Great and manifold, however, as are the evils, which the practice of 

 sftoeing brings along with it, to the feet of very young Horses, I 

 cannot help being of opinion, that the total amount of the mischief 

 arising from this source, (whatever it may do on the score of pain and 

 suffering) goes but a little way, in producing the vast sum, of pre- 

 mature mortality, which annually takes place amongst these animals 

 in these Islands. 



