l86 ON THE HACKNEY AND HUNTER. 



years growth. From the improvident cuftom 

 of* over- weighting them too early, even if they 

 are ridden flow, arife windgals, fplents, fpavins, 

 weaknefs of the joints, and that common tribe 

 of defects, which are the confequence of over- 

 itretched ligaments. 



The Enghfh have been ridiculed by foreign- 

 ers, for " making curtails," both upon their kings 

 and their Horfes. As to thofe made upon the 

 latter, I think there can be no doubt of the 

 utility. Long tails, for which fome people are 

 fuch warm advocates, fetting afide the incom- 

 modity to the rider, of being fanned by them, 

 dirty or clean, do not in their appearance 

 convey that idea of expedition upon which qui* 

 affections are fo bent in this country ; buckled 

 up, they to be fure have the air militair, but 

 do not look fportfman-like, which is our mark. 

 A horfe will carry even a better full tail (a 

 long one I mean) for having been docked ; 

 and it is an old opinion, which carries a fhew 

 of reafon with it, that by abridging the tails, 

 you flrengthen the loins of Horfes. As what 

 I have to fay upon the tails of Horfes, is of a 

 general nature, I may as well lay it in this 

 place, and have done with it. It has ever 

 been my favourite ftudy (when leifure was 

 permitted me) to endeavour by all feafible 

 means, to leffen the miferies of animals, and it 

 io true, this principle lias often forced me to 



turn 



