358 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERY. 



taken to the open air thus overheated, induces coughs and 

 other diseases in the mucous membrane, as well as inflam- 

 mation in the kidneys and lungs ; and should the weather 

 be cold, rheumatism and stiffness in the joints, because 

 horses are frequently allowed to stand for some time before 

 they are put in motion, and are in consequence chilled. It 

 also too frequently happens that carriage or cart-horses are 

 allowed to stand an hour or more in harness after they have 

 been overheated by severe exercise or labour. This is the 

 reason why such horses seldom live to be aged, and too fre- 

 quently die in the prime of life. The horses of stage and 

 hackney coaches seldom live beyond the age of eight or nine 

 years ; and this is chiefly owing to the carelessness of their 

 drivers and grooms ; whereas horses have been known to 

 acquire a very great age when they are looked after with that 

 care which so valuable and useful an animal requires. A 

 remarkable example of this occurred in Warrington, Avhere a 

 horse attained the extraordinary age of seventy-six years, and 

 was well known by the name of Old Billy. As far as I have 

 been able to learn, this was the oldest horse Avhich ever 

 lived, and may hence be considered the Parr among horses. 

 He belonged to the Mersey and Irwell Navigation Company, 

 and more than half his life had been spent in towing 

 boats. The company, for many of his last years, on account 

 of his great age, kept him without working. In summer 

 he grazed on the luxuriant pasture on the banks of the 

 Mersey, and in winter was taken into stable and fed on 

 mashes and soft food. When he died, the company had his 

 head preserved, the skin stuffed, and the cranium cleaned, 

 and presented it to the Museum of the Manchester Natural 

 History Society, where it is still to be seen. 



Few people are aware that after a horse has been worked 

 hard or galloped, that his return to a hot stable is nearly as 



