CHAPTER VII. 



THE TRADESMAN'S HORSE AND FAMILY PONY. 



Tradesmen employ horses of different kinds, sizes and qualities, 

 according to their requirements, and sometimes also according 

 to their means and fancies. We therefore find them of not 

 only different sizes and weights, but also of different degrees of 

 breeding. Included in the list of tradesmen's horses, we observe 

 these ranging from the heavy draught and van horse, to that of 

 the butcher, greengrocer, and milkman's cart. It is needless to 

 say that, in the selection and management of these, there is 

 much to dilate upon, and yet special circumstances must deter- 

 mine the course to be adopted, and influence the results arrived 

 at in these particulars. 



Upon the amount and the kind of w-ork will depend 

 the kind of horse to be provided to perform it, and amount of 

 food and attention the animal should receive. In the chapter 

 on Feeding and General Management these particulars have 

 been already dealt with, and, as pointed out, no fixed rule can 

 be laid down with regard to the amount or kind of food which 

 such horses should receive. One thing is certain, that it is 

 not profitable — to say nothing of the inhumanity of it — to 

 under-feed or over-work such horses. In proportion to the 

 severity of the work should be the amount of nutritious food 

 and rest ; while comfortable, clean, and well- ventilated stables 

 ensure health and liveliness. The times as to feeding, and the 

 kinds and preparation of food, which have been dealt with in 

 the chapter alluded to, should be adhered to as far as may be 



