EVILS OF MODERN STABLES. 



217 



bond which restrains them. The quadruped adopts the general artifice. 

 The chain stretches. It perceptibly yields. Then, all the strength and 

 weight are brought to bear : the fetter breaks. Only, the door is locked 

 for the night, when this second offense is consummated ; and the horse 

 is the next morning discovered by its groom, careering about the gang- 

 way or sharing the stall of a companion. 



BREAKINO LOOSE. 



That which one chain is powerless to retain may, nevertheless, be 

 confined by double fetters. The groom, accordingly, has a second ring 

 fixed upon the manger rail. A stout leathern strap is then buckled 

 round the upper portion of a horse's neck. To that additional and 

 heavier chain, passing through the second ring, an extra sinker is 

 fastened. The head of the animal has, by this plan, to endure a 

 double, or more than a double, weight. A constant drag, therefore, 

 does not improve the carriage of the crest ; but it may serve to remind 

 the quadruped of its recent successful plan of escape, while it certainly 

 cannot otherwise than stimulate the desire for liberty. 



The struggles which, in the first instance, were so effective, being now 

 proved powerless, the groom would joyously chuckle over his contri- 

 vance, only perseverance in the horse is causing its neck-strap to inter- 

 fere with the personal appearance of the animal. Constant friction and 

 perpetual strain have made an unsightly notch in the mane, while the 

 neck-strap has generated a circular mark totally devoid of hair. The 

 mane is nature's embellishment, and neither horse nor lady looks more 

 pleasing, when their flowing tresses have been partially destroyed. 



This is very vexing. Yet, when bad begins, worse generally remains 

 behind. Animals which have adopted an idea seem incapable of relin- 

 quishing the notion. The creature having once broken its tether resorts 



