THE HORSE. 



fierceness and rage ; neither believeth he that ^t is 

 the sound of the ti'umpet. He saith among the 

 trumpets, Ha, ha ; and he smelleth the battle afar 

 off, the thunder of the captains and the shouting." 

 Such is the description given in holy writ of this 

 superb animal ; but it is now our task to treat of all 

 that relates to the use of him, in a plain and familiar 

 style, adapted to all capacities. 



The value of horses mainly depends upon their 

 soundness and capability for work. It is, therefore, 

 of the utmost importance to keep them in the most 

 healthy condition. Yet, this being universally al- 

 lowed, it is a constant and general complaint that so 

 few of these valuable animals are preserved in a 

 proper state. But it is surprising that those who so 

 complain do not perceive that the blame principally 

 rests with themselves, as the remedy lies solely in 

 their own liaiids, so far, at least, as any remedy can 

 be applied. There can be no doubt that persons 

 who employ horses wish to get all the work they 

 can from them, ^vithout decreasing their value ; but 

 that they do not effect this desirable object is evi- 

 dent from the prevalence of the complaints made 

 upon the subject. The general employers of horses, 

 more particularly men of business and commercial 

 men, seem to think that a knowledge of the horse is 

 implanted within them by nature; and this over- 

 weening confidence leads them into an infinity of 

 errors, and prevents them reading what better in- 

 formed persons have said upon so important a topic. 

 Nor do such persons take even common precautions 

 m the treatment of these animals, by attending to 

 experience or example ,• but they trust the care and 

 health of their horses to ostlers and others, who 

 have but a secondary interest in preserving them in 

 good condition. It is only fair, however,'^to admit 

 that the little benefit derived by persons keeping or 

 entrusted with horses from works alreadv published 



