THE SO-CALLED "INCAPACITATING VICES." 265 



sent some indefinite injury to the spine of a horse. The quadruped is 

 essentially a beast of burden. The load is commonly supported on the 

 back. It is so, entirely, when the creature is used for saddle purposes ; 

 and, in the heavier species of draught, the balance always inclines 

 toward the back of the "wheeler," while the spines of some coarse 

 horses are sadly tried when they are obliged to trot back with a heavy., 

 springless cart, after the load has been delivered. 



It is the general custom of this country to place young cart-horses 

 between the chains, or, in other words, to employ such animals only in 

 the capacity of leaders. The practice is equally wise and humane. The 

 draught is not easier as the propelling force is situated distant from the 

 load, but the pull then is entirely upon the collar, and no weight is 

 allowed to rest upon the immatured' and yielding spine of a youthful 

 body. These benefits, however, are all rendered nugatory by the con- 

 duct of most carters. Such men are, generally, of Herculean propor- 

 tions, and are conspicuous for no lightness of person. 



The cart, dray, or wagon leaves the office with the driver in his 

 proper place, walking beside the horses. Here he continues until the 

 load is delivered; but, on the return journey, he is apt to experience 

 fatigue. He does not reflect how far his individual sensations are likely 

 to be shared by the animals which have been drawing some heavy 

 burden during the time he has been simply walking at their sides. No ! 

 Seeking his own ease, he casts his body upon the back of the most for- 

 ward, and, therefore, upon the youngest horse of the team. His seat is 

 the loins, or directly upon the weakest portion of the vertebral chain. 

 There he rides, squatting with his legs dangling upon one side. No 

 doubt, the situation is pleasant ; but where all is conjecture, the reader 

 must decide how far the repetition of such an act may account for rick 

 of the back being common among the heavier kind of horses. 



It was otherwise with the old fly wagons of a former day. The 

 driver of those vehicles used to have fastened behind his load a stout 

 pony. When fatigued, the man would mount the supernumerary 

 animal, and, riding beside his horses, would rest his own legs while he 

 continued to guide his team ; an act which the London carter is, by his 

 position, disqualified for performing. While the driver rests, the "luck 

 which attends on ignorance " must take care of the vehicle. 



The spine of the horse, in a natural state, is characterized by a highly 

 elastic property. As every form of mechanism is exposed to injury in 

 proportion as it approaches to perfection, man should not feel surprised 

 if the delicately-organized back of the animal is not exactly equal to all 

 the usages unto which civilization has compelled it to submit. Indeed, 

 when we feel how unscrupulous the human being can become, if urged 



