146 



THE HORSE. 



should be moved gently about before the medicine com- 

 mences to operate, but never after. Do those barba- 

 rians who knock the animal about when enduring the 

 pains of colic, or when suffering from the strong pur- 

 gative action of medicine, ever think of what they are 

 doing ? If they were treated themselves on the same 

 plan, under similar circumstances, they would soon 

 come to their senses regarding the management of the 

 unfortunate animal which is placed under their charge. 



LAYING DOWN THE FOOT. 



My third Letter on the Horse, published in the London- 

 derry Standard for the 10th of March, 1848, contained 

 the following statement : — " I think any person who 

 takes the trouble of opening his eyes may see, that the 

 safety of the horse's knees depends entirely on the 

 slant of the shoulder and pastern, together with a pro- 

 per method of laying down the foot. . . . I assert, 

 most emphatically, that it is the laying down, and not 

 the lifting, of the foot, which renders the animal safe. 

 If he lays the heel first to the ground, he cannot fall. 

 . . . Let the horse with the well-slanted shoulder 

 and pastern throw his foot far foi-ward, and lay his 

 heel first to the ground, and I wiU answer for his 

 safety." 



