C 167 ] 



On the Hawsy or Hooks^ fso called J in Horses^ by Rich- 

 ard Peters J Esquire, 



Read June 8, 1813. 



Belmont, June 2, 1813, 



Dear Sir, 



During the last winter, I had in my service, what 

 is too conamon, — a conceited driver of my carriage, 

 who believed himself exclusively acquainted with the 

 management of the affairs of the stable. He wished me 

 to clothe my horses, and had a foppery on this subject, 

 whereof there are too frequent examples. I would not 

 indulge this unnecessary and highly injurious propen- 

 sity. Clothing horses subject to sudden and frequent 

 exposure to cold and wet, I have known through my life 

 (and I have owned horses almost half a century) to be 

 dangerous to their health ; and a preventive to, or de- 

 stroyer, of the hardihood and strength, which that ani^ 

 mal by nature possesses. On those its usefulness 

 mainly depends. Were I compelled to the alternative, I 

 would prefer an open shed, in which horses should be 

 sheltered from bleak winds and rain, to a close stable. 

 Much less would I choose, in any situation, to clothe 

 them, when in health. But servants who wish to spare 

 labour, will have horses wrapped in blankets, and kept 

 in close stables. They add high feeding, (which is still 

 more prejudicial,) to give them a sleek coat, and save 

 themselves ihe trouble of rubbing and cleanliness. As 

 my servant could not carry his point in one way ; he 

 determined on a course he considered equivalent. — He 



