IV PREFACE. 



in which case, skilful " patching " may sometimes be resorted 

 to with a certain measure of success. Nothing, however, can 

 be done unless the poor brute is first put into slings, and 

 these cannot, of course, be obtained, as a general rule, in 

 private stables. 



The remarks contained in the chapter devoted to the sub- 

 ject of feeding must naturally be read by the light of each 

 horse's individual temperament, the old adage of " Where 

 one would starve, the other grows fat," applying with peculiar 

 force here. With some, the apparently trifling circumstance 

 of their having a piece of rock-salt to lick will make all 

 the difference between a healthy appetite and an utter dis- 

 inclination to feed. Horses are peculiarly dainty feeders, and 

 I have known a horse suffer very severely from thirst before 

 he would touch water offered him in a pail which had been 

 fouled by a dog drinking out of it. 



I have endeavoured to indicate specially the rational treat- 

 ment to be employed with horses infirm in the wind, both as 

 to feeding and in regard to their mode of doing their work. 

 I have been much in contact with animals so afflicted, 

 and am convinced that, where they are systematically 

 treated with their food, and humanely dealt with in riding 

 or driving, that they last nearly as long, and do almost as 

 much work, as their sounder brethren. 



In advocating the greatest care and attention being given 

 to saddlery, harness, &c., and especially with regard to 

 bearing-reins, tight curb chains, and throat-lashes, I feel 

 that I am only giving expression to the ideas of everyone 

 who has ever made more than a superficial study of the 

 requirements of Nature's noblest animal : and if some few 

 of the equine tribe benefit in point of comfort by one of 

 my humble efforts, I shall have been more than repaid for 

 any trouble they have ever caused me in finding out their 

 idiosyncrasies. 



In respect to the last chapter of this book — that upon 



