266 



FAULTS INSEPARABLE FROM STABLES. 



(iesc(!nds the slope, till the quarters pass the gutter and repose upon the 

 gangway. 



A HORBE BTANDma WHILE IT SLEEPS. 



Yet, before the body can move such a distance from the manger, the 

 neck and the collar-rope must both be strained. However, finding its 

 body, at length, to be comfortably located, the animal meditates com- 

 posing itself to sleep, which is not to be done while the neck is out- 

 stretched and the chain is raised far above its natural position. To 

 accomplish this, the muzzle must be considerably lowered and the neck 

 be retracted; but, before either can be done, the collar-rope must be 

 loosened. It is obviously impossible to change the attitude while that 

 fastening remains in a state of tension : the position in which the horse 

 invariably sleeps cannot, therefore, be assumed. 



In this dilemma, the intelligent quadruped determines to rise and to 

 return to the manger. But a natural law has ordained that before the 

 horse gets up from the ground, the head shall be thrown backward ; 

 thus lightening the weight upon the fore quarters, which parts are 

 always first raised. The straightening of the front limbs is thereby 

 facilitated. But this movement cannot now be put in practice because 

 of the rope which retains the neck outstretched. Struggles are useless ; 



i 



