PEEFACE. 



This rolume is offered to the consideration of the public, not 

 without a knowledge on the part of the author that many excel- 

 lent works upon the horse have already appeared. It has occurred 

 to him, however, that each of these various works is devoted rather 

 to the consideration of some particular topic of interest in conuec- 

 tion with this generous animal, than to a general treatment of the 

 various subjects which appropriately claim notice in a work in- 

 tended for the ordinary reader. 



There are comparatively few in our country who are not, at some 

 period or other, brought into contact with the horse, either as 

 owners, hirers, or in some other capacity. The great majority 

 cannot avail themselves of the numerous treatises already extant, 

 which touch upon this animal, without gathering about themselves 

 a library so large as seriously to trench upon their pecuniary com- 

 fort. Besides, so far as the ailments of the horse are concerned, 

 much progress has been made in their treatment within the last 

 few years. Old theories have been exploded, and, as the author 

 believes, an era of a more humane and judicious medical treatment 

 is dawning upon us. A marked improvement is discernible in the 

 class of practitioners who essay the veterinary art ; a greater amount 

 of intelligence characterizes their action, and, as a consequence, 

 the occupation of the veterinary surgeon is fast rising in popular 

 estimation. 



To these cheering indications of a better day for the horse and 

 his owner, the author claims not to be indifferent. If an experi- 

 ence of fifteen years, diligently devoted to an investigation of th« 



(5) 



