266 THE SO-CALLED "INCAPACITATING VICES." 



onward bj the pursuit of gain or prompted by a sense of personal in- 

 dulgence, it will hardly provoke wonder that the creature doomed to be 

 the helpmate of the avaricious, should occasionally suffer in their 

 service. 



Rick or chink of the back is among the most common and the least 

 understood of equine affections. Its symptoms are confounded — one 

 and the same name being employed to indicate every stage of the dis- 

 order, thus confusing inquiry. Those eff'ects which result from organic 

 change are regarded as the promptings of that "viciousness of spirit" 

 with which it has pleased mankind to credit the horse. The liberality 

 of mortal imagination is extreme, especially where causes have to be 

 assumed. Grant man the right to conjecture, and there is no mystery 

 in nature for which he cannot account. Thus, the sharp pangs of agony 

 which induced the contortions of a dumb creature were conjectured to 

 be the gratification of an innately " vicious disposition. " This pretended 

 explanation has remained unquestioned for ages, abusing the intellect of 

 mankind and hardening the hearts of those whom it was thought to 

 enlighten. No doubt many very worthy people will feel much inclined 

 to quarrel with the book which presumes to question the interpretation 

 that generations have approved and time has sanctified. 



However, to expose the manner in which the personation of meekness 

 has been abused by the arrogance of ignorance — certain animals are 

 supposed to indulge a morbid habit, or "vicious" propensity, which is, 

 by the lower orders, spoken of as "kidney dropping." Creatures thus 

 viciously disposed are generally aged, and are devoted either to heavy 

 draught or to harness purposes. They are sometimes met in those 

 stables where horses are let out by the "hour, day, or job." One thus 

 afflicted will be drawing a gig along some pleasant country road when 

 "the vice" shall be suddenly displayed. The attacks may appear in 

 rapid succession, when they ren(Jer the life worthless ; or they may only 

 come on at distant intervals, being separated by long periods of apparent 

 soundness. No jockey, however knowing he may be in his vocation, or 

 however boastful he may be about " my 'sperience 'mong 'orses," can, by 

 any visible sign, announce the day or foretell the hour when a particular 

 quadruped will be afflicted with an attack of " kidney dropping. " 



The horse shall be harnessed to some light vehicle, within which may 

 be seated some tradesman, by whose side smiles the eldest daughter of 

 a numerous family. The animal is not overloaded, and seems to be 

 journeying pleasantly at its own pace. He who holds the reins is de- 

 lighted ; while she who sits beside him ever and anon leans forward to 

 pat the croup of "the dear pet." The sun is shining; the birds are 

 singing ; the trees are bright with new foliage ; and the country smells 



