258 FAULTS INSEPARABLE FROM STABLES. 



aggravates the inclination of the resting-place, for dried and glossy stems 

 of a circular figure accelerate more than they retard the backward gravi- 

 tation of the body. 



The creature therefore — unable to reason, acting under the impression 

 that its body is continually sliding backward — endeavors to recover its 

 original position by nudging itself repeatedly forward. The horse has ' 

 neither light to see, hands to feel, nor sense to measure the distance. 

 Imagination is the only dependence which it can boast of. Th-e advances 

 become energetic in proportion as the supposition which provokes them 

 is annoying. The annoyance is regulated by the irritability of the quad- 

 ruped. Some stable inhabitants grow more morbidly nervous ; with 

 these, the advances are proportionably frequent; so that the head of 

 the captive, guided by the collar-rope, is speedily brought into violent 

 contact with the further end wall of its compartment. 



Not comprehending the meaning of the blow, but suffering from pain 

 and fright, the animal attempts to rise. The commencement of this 

 movement always is the elevation of the head, which, after being raised, 

 is strained backward. This action is a necessity of its existence ; and, 

 dreaming of no danger, the quadruped essays to fulfill the natural law. 

 The head, however, which has struck the wall of the stable, must at the 

 time he immediately under the manger. Imagining no impediment, the 

 animal exalts its crest with that impetuosity which characterizes all 

 the motions of the horse. It strikes against the manger, and a heavy 

 concussion sends the member into its original abiding-place. 



The stricken creature cannot comprehend the reason of those blows 

 it has received. But it is often chastised for nothing, so beating is to it 

 almost a matter of course. It crouches in terror for some moments, no 

 doubt hoping its tormentor may move onward. Then, as the strained 

 senses can„ detect no sound, it ventures once more to raise its head. The 

 result is the same as it was before. The horse, after repeated efforts, 

 becomes alarmed. Mad with fear, and wild with desperation, it now 

 exerts its utmost strength. The contention may continue until the 

 groom enters the stable in the morning, when, bruised and panting, 

 its head swollen and bleeding, its strength exhausted and almost its 

 life expended, the wretched animal is discovered prostrated upon the 

 pavement. 



This consequence of confining an animal in darkness is the serious, 

 and probably the permanent, deterioration of property. At the best, 

 the services are lost for many days. In any case, time must be allowed 

 for the necessary recovery. Few, very few people have the generosity 

 to recognize, and even fewer still are educated to perceive, that a life has 

 been for many hours breathing in agony, and that the existence may 



I 



