xvi INTRODUCTION 



notice of the animal under some kind of domestication, form an interesting 

 chapter, in which many imjjortant facts not unclouded by tradition are 

 introduced to the notice of the reader. 



In connection with the History of the Horse, our heavy and light breeds, 

 our Shire horses, Clydesdales, Suflblks, and Cleveland bays, our racers, 

 hunters, hacks, and ponies all receive due notice in regard to their origin, 

 specialities of form, and qualities. 



The chapters dealing with the external points of the horse and the 

 general subject of its conformation, its excellences and its defects, cannot 

 fail to interest the jJi'actical horseman. Room for differences of opinion 

 exists in questions of form and quality, as the awards of our judges at 

 exhibitions of live-stock prove; but there are canons to be remembered, 

 to infringe which would bring down thunders of animadversion from the 

 orthodox horseman. Outside these fundamental maxims, however, much 

 liberty is permitted. Every horseman knows something of the standards 

 of form, some know a good deal, and all are concerned to know whatever is 

 to be learned on the subject. 



Principles of breeding and the management of breeding stock, including 

 the different systems of training for the turf, the chase, and the show-yard, 

 constitute a chajjter in our book of the horse which will be read with 

 interest by all lovers of the animal, whatever may be the sphere of work 

 in which it is employed. There is perhaps no enquiry more constantly 

 advanced than that for information regarding the management and training 

 of animals and the diseases to which they are subject, and the stereotyped 

 reply to the enquiry always and truly has been hitherto that there is no 

 single book in which all these matters are dealt with. Stable architecture 

 and stable fittings are also important matters, in regard, for instance, to 

 aspect, means of ventilation, and sanitary arrangements in general. Indeed, 

 such questions cannot be estimated as anything less than vital to the 

 well-l)eing of animals which are confined for a large portion of every day 

 and night within a box or stall; and even the possessor of a pony is 

 interested in knowing the common details of stable life, of which a large 

 proportion of owners of horses are ignorant, and thus become subservient 

 to their servants. How much fodder, litter, water, air, and exercise a horse 

 requires are points of practice about which no material difference of opinion 

 exists, but the man who does not know is often afraid to ask even of a 

 friend, and must not, for his reputation's sake, enquire of his groom on 

 such elementary matters. All such details are given in the present work. 



Veterinary hygiene or .sanitary science as applied to the horse has a 

 chapter to itself, with the object of bringing to a focus all the scattered 

 rays of knowledge on the subject, which are often too diffused to be of 



