HORSES AND MULES. 2^'6 



should be in his prime. Steady and severe labor need not wear 

 out the horse before this time, if he be properly cared for from 

 the hour of his conception, through all the stages of liis exist- 

 ence. This sounds strangely, because the carelessness and 

 cruelty, the meanness and ignorance of man, has shortened by 

 more than one half the natural term of his existence. 



The horse delights to be the faithful servant, slave, and friend 

 of man. He will tax his strength and powers of endurance to 

 the utmost, at the bidding of his master. Such faithfulness 

 should be returned by kindness ajid attention. Harsh words, 

 kicks and blows for every supposed offence of the unreasoning 

 creature, are marks of a most contemptible character. 



In addition to stabling and feeding, Grooming the Horse is 

 of more importance than is usually allowed among farmers. 

 Grooming is hard, tedious, disagreeable business, and is, 

 therefore, very much neglected. Daily grooming is absolutely 

 essential to the health of the horse in his imprisoned state. The 

 dust of the stable, and the mud of the street, will soon stop up 

 the pores of the skin without grooming. Except in cold and 

 stormy weather, the horse should be groomed out of doors 

 between his feeds in the morning. 



Every portion of the body should be combed, and rubbed, and 

 brushed, and in warm weather sponged. And here Ave would 

 protest against the universal use of the curry comb. Some 

 horses do not mind it, even like it, but to some horses with ten 

 der skins it is an implement of torture, and instead of being 

 glad to be groomed they shrink and shy, and perhaps kick ana 

 bite, and are severely punished as vicious. Try the same im- 

 plement on your own skin and see how you like it. When a 

 horse is thus sensitive to the curry comb it should only be used 

 to comb the mane and tail, and to scratch the legs, and a hair 



cloth and brush used for grooming. Savs Herbert, *' In ordinary 

 18 



