122 THE GEXERAL MANAGEMENT 



of harness, then the different parts of the harness must be qnietly pre- 

 sented to its notice and sense of smell, before they are appUed to the body 

 of the animal. If it be inclined to be restive, then the near fore-leg must 

 be immediately strapped up, or the colt must be thrown down, tamed, and 

 partially harnessed in the horizontal position. If upon rising, there still 

 continues a disposition to kick, the near fore-log must be again strapped 

 up, and the colt fastened up in the break upon three legs only. The colt 

 is then moved to the right or left, to induce him to bear well upon the 

 collar, and thus take a cii-cular direction. When he has gone quietly for 

 some distance upon three legs, the near fore-leg may be released from its 

 confinement. In a very inveterate kicker, it will be fully necessary to re- 

 tain a purchase upon the pastern of the near fore-leg by a strap which 

 shall be made to pass from the pastern through the rings of the hamesb 

 into the hand of the driver, so that upon the first intimation of resti-seness, 

 the leg may be instantly drawn up and retained in position for a consider- 

 able time. If the colt be intended for slow and heavy draught, the very 

 best education it can receive will be to be placed as the centre of a team 

 of three, so that it cannot recede or progress without the concurrence of 

 the remaininof two. ' 



CHAPTER VI. 



THE GENEKAL MANAGEMENT OF THE HOUSE. 



I.^HIS is a most important part of our subject, and deserving the careful 

 attention of all parties interested in the health and condition of the horse. 

 We will arrange the most important points of general management undei 

 the following heads : — 



AIR. 



There cannot be a doubt that the proper ventilation of our stables has 

 very great influence in determining the health and vigour of the animals 

 confined in them. But although attention has of late years been directed 

 to this subject, and considerable improvements carried out in the manage- 

 ment of som.e of our best stables, as a general rule the ventilation of the 

 majority of stables, and especially those in which agricultui^al horses are 

 confined, will be found very deficient, and in many instances utterly 

 devoid of any special arrangement by which this very important process 

 can be carried on. 



Mr. Clarke, of Edinburgh, Avas the first who advocated the iTse of well- 

 ventilated stables. After him Professor Coleman established them in the 

 quarters of the cavahy troops, and there caniiot be a doubt that he saved 

 the Government many thousand pounds every year. His system of venti- 

 lation, however, Hke many other salutary innovations, was at first strongly 

 resisted. Much evil was predicted ; but after a time, diseases that used to 

 dismount whole troops almost entirely disappeared from the army. 



It should always be borne in mind that the breathing of pure air is 

 necessary to the existence and the health of man and beast, and in pro- 

 portion to the purity of the air in which an animal is kept, will be found 

 the greater or less vigour and health Avith which all the functions of the 

 body will be performed. There are two chief sources from which the 

 impurities of the stable are derived, viz. : the changes produced in the air 

 by the process of respiration, and the gaseous matters which are formed 

 by the decomposition of excrementitious and other matters from the want 



