122 



it even affects their temper and their voices. A 

 gelding that is vicious and unruly vi^ould have 

 been unmanageable if he had remained entire. 

 A gelding may be known from a stallion by Iiis 

 neighing J but it is difficult to distinguish him 

 from a mare by his voice ; and it is well known 

 that this operation produces a similar effect in 

 every description of animals. 



The eye v/ould be gratified at seeing a body 

 of dragoons mounted on entire horses, but 

 their passions and viciousness render them un- 

 fit for the purpose. 



Colts must not be gelded too young, or they 

 will become effeminate ; nor too old, or they 

 will be vicious in their temper. 



It is an unquestionable truth that stallions 

 are infinitely handsomer, and are more compact, 

 in all their shapes than geldings or mares, and 

 their long flowing tails and waving manes pro- 

 duce a grander effect on the mind of the 

 observer than other horses-, but when a num- 

 ber of them are together, in the army -for in- 

 stance, and particularly if they have already 

 covered, or if mares are in company, they are 

 in a continual state of irritation, biting and 

 kicking each other, and are more intent on 



