FAULTS INSEPARABLE FROM STABLES. 



24f 



be made clear. The quickness with which the arterial blood reaches the 

 foot is, consequently, regulated by the speed with which the venous cut- 

 rent is expelled. The hoof of the stabled horse is constantly congested, 

 or the effete blood accumulates within the horn ; because motion, in the 

 venous stream, is impossible. The current hardly stirs, and the fluid, 

 by stagnation, becomes cold. Did the possibility of action allow the 

 pumping force fair play, then the forefoot would, doubtless, be as warm 

 as other parts Qf the animal's system. 



Anatomy demonstrates these facts ; but the habits of the quadruped 

 have never been attentively noted. Had the instinctive promptings of 

 its desires been studied with a wish to profit by such instruction, stables 

 had been erected for some better purpose than to closely confine an 

 active animal, and to illustrate the earliest principles of surface drainage. 

 As it is, a building has been raised totally inadequate to its pretended 

 uses, and one in the arrangement of which the convenience of man has 

 alone been consulted. In such a place, a horse has, for ages, been im- 





E0E8BS, WHEN FREE TO CHOOSE, ALWAYS STAND WITH THE F0REH00F8 ON A LOWER LEVEL THAN THAT 

 OCCUPIED BY THE HIND FEET. 



prisoned. It is true, the captive did not thrive. Yet this consequence 

 was rather excused than inquired into. Humanity has endured loss, 



