78 THE ORANGE COUNTY 



point forwards, in order to give security to the tread of the 

 horse. It assists also in a material degree in the expansion 

 of the foot. Thus the diminution of the substance of the 

 frog, and its elevation above ground, must be injurious. The 

 rough and detached parts may be removed, but the sub- 

 stance of the frog should always be left just above or within 

 the level of the shoe. 



When well treated the horse lives to a great age, though 

 as treated in general, his best years are from five to fif- 

 teen, instances, however, being numerous in which he is ser- 

 viceable to twenty years of age, and even longer. An in- 

 stance is on record in which he reached the extraordinary 

 age of seventy. 



The senses of the horse are acute and delicate, and his 

 intellectual character is marked by a quick perception, an 

 excellent memory, and benevolence of disposition. As in 

 man, some horses are highly courageous, others timid; some 

 lively, playful, and generous, whilst others are stupid, obsti- 

 nate, and vicious. He is rarely found to exert his vast 

 strength and activity to his master's prejudice; on the con- 

 trary, he will endure fatigue, even to death, for his benefit. 

 One of his most eminent characteristics is that his efforts are 

 not made so much from fear of his master, as from a certain 

 consciousness of the necessity for doing his duty, for the 

 sake of the services which he receives at the hand of man. 



The natural affection of the horse is not displayed to- 

 wards man only, but he extends his attachment to other ani- 

 mals who are associated with him, and not to his own species 

 alone, but to animals of any other species. The fondness of 

 the horse for dogs is well known, and when a cat takes to 

 the stable, she is presently on the best of terms with the in- 

 mates. Horses are much attached to a goat, and this animal 

 is hence frequently kept in a stable, the result being much 

 natural regard between the goat and the horse. 



The horse, too, has his tastes as well as his rider. The 

 fondness of horses for music has been an observation in all 

 ages, and the bands of a cavalry regiment have no little to do 

 with the proud military bearing of the regimental horses. 

 All soldiers know the delight with which a horse listens to a 

 military band. 



It was formerly customary, in order to improve the ap- 

 pearance of the horse, to dock and nick his tail. The custom 

 no doubt originated with the same blockheads who slit the 

 tongue of a magpie to make him talk; a more barbarous or 

 a more unsightly practice was never adopted, The pain 



