CHAPTER I. 



HORSES AND HORSESHOEING. 



The Treatment of Horses. 



Being very fond of horses, and finding in a good lively 

 drive with an occasional friendly '^ brush'"' more of real 

 solid enjoyment than in almost any other recreation, I 

 am naturally led to think much upon the subject of the 

 proper care and treatment of horses, and also through 

 observation and comparison to form opinions as to suitable 

 vehicles and best condition of roads, through the medium 

 of which the most enjoyment may be had with the least 

 of wear and tear and danger. 



A horse fit to be called a good roadster, that is, one hav- 

 ing the necessar}^ amount of speed to start up and pull a 

 wagon with two men over a country road, far from level, at 

 a really rapid gait, must have some breeding, be in good 

 health and condition, and have good feet. What are good 

 strains of blood can be learned from breedei'S. There must 

 be bone, and muscle, and proper form, but there must be 

 intelligence and courage, with that gamecock pluck wiiich 

 cannot be found in dunghills. The right horses may be had 

 by the thousand, and how to properly feed and care for 

 them in general, covering all matters of stabling, ventilation, 

 grooming, clothing, harness and fittings, how to drive to 

 develop latent speed and improve upon that alread^^ devel- 

 oped, or at least to keep the developed trotter or roadster 



