MODERN HORSE MANAGEMENT 



[chap. 



of antidotes and weights and measures, will be 

 useful to many horse owners. Chapter X. is con- 

 cluded with an extensive glossary of terms for 

 the benefit of those who are not familiar with 

 them. In Chapter XII. I have dealt in detail 

 with the use of the horse's tail. I have con- 

 sidered the subject of flies and mosquitoes, list- 

 ing the names of many of these pests. The 

 chapter is concluded with notes on minor 

 operations. 



2. In Chapters XIII. and XIX. I have dealt 

 in detail with the commonest forms of cruelty 

 to animals. One might ask why it is necessary 

 to write at such length on such a subject in 

 such an enlightened age. The reasons, I think, 

 are clearly set forth in Chapters XIII. and 

 XIX. The fashion of docking horses is one that, 

 thank God, is receiving much attention now. 

 I commenced writing on this subject in the 

 English and American Press nine years ago, at 

 the time Prince Christian spoke so strongly. 



The Times truly said not long since : " The 

 long tail is now considered preferable." To any 

 real lover of Nature I believe it always was ; but 

 until a short while ago the cowardly "horse- 

 doper" had it all his own way. Inexperienced 

 owners purchased such horses because they 

 knew no better. Now that horse shows are set- 

 ting the example of humanity (except in the 

 case of the Hackney, Shire and Clyde), we see a 

 wonderful change. The modern horse show was 

 inaugurated to encourage horsemanship and 

 this it should really do, while steadily discoun- 

 tenancing all brutality. 



In Canada and the States the type of delivery 

 horse is rapidly improving, as shown in many 

 of the plates, and is often much ahead of many 

 of the English horses ; but the private carriage 

 horse in Canada is far behind the times. We 

 see few of the good type of carriage horse, of 

 which examples are illustrated, and it has only 

 been during the past few years that we have 

 seen these better horses in New York. 



The proprietors of "Reducine," in an excel- 

 lent little pamphlet on the horse, show a striking 

 picture of a "swell," with eyeglass, etc., driving 

 a tightly checked horse, with tail stuck up like a 

 hat-peg, in a high dog-cart. Below it are the 

 words, "Which has the most brains?" 



Cruelty is becoming more and more sup- 

 pressed. Ignorant cruelty is checked by the law, 

 but the law at present has very little hold over 

 wanton cruelty and needs much amending. It 

 is clear, from the numerous letters I have re- 

 ceived from noted horsemen and others on both 

 sides of the Atlantic, that the general opinion 

 is strongly against cruel fashions. 



The Times, in a leading article on cruelty, 

 discussed at length the public sentiment that is 

 growing against cruelty on the stage. A recent 

 music-hall " turn " was removed by public 

 request. It says: "An animal on the stage is to 



some extent a personality on the stage, and the 

 modern sentiment that condemns its treatment 

 as an ingenious but somewhat fatuous automa- 

 ton is not without justification." As it rightly 

 argued, people now realise that a dumb animal 

 should not be treated in a way that is unnatural 

 to it. 



3. Then another change is taking place. The 

 Times continues : " The notion of what con- 

 stitutes a smart appearance is undergoing a 

 change. Animals are becoming more and more 

 emancipated from the fetters of human, often 

 feminine, fastidiousness. The important fact is 

 that such a change implies the adoption of a 

 more rational attitude towards animals in 

 general ; a preference for what is natural over 

 what is artificial." 



The Times concludes : " It is only now that 

 we are beginning to look upon humbler animals 

 in a new light." But, I add, how much there is 

 still to be done ! 



Since writing Chapter XIII. serious steps have 

 been taken by that famous horseman, Mr. 

 Walter Winans. May his good work be re- 

 warded ! Although he may have some enemies, 

 as most reformers have, his many friends must 

 be ever increasing. But what does it matter if 

 he has no friends in the world : is he not stand- 

 ing up for a dumb creature of God's creation 

 that has no say in the matter? 



The veterinary profession of late has done 

 much to help the good cause, but it is very 

 necessary that this profession be closely allied 

 to all humane societies. These must work hand 

 in hand to produce really permanent results. I 

 feel greatly indebted to the Royal Veterinary 

 College and to Doctors Rutherford and Torrens, 

 of Ottawa, the late and present Veterinary 

 Directors-General of the Dominion. 



The subject of humane education and the law 

 is dealt with in Chapter XV., in which I have 

 also quoted from different writers. 



In Chapter XIV. and the latter part of Chapter 

 XIX. I have quoted from the opinions of various 

 people, the Press, and books on docking, bear- 

 ing-reins, etc. 



Well knowing how shocking it is that little 

 use is made of anesthetics by those who have 

 to operate on dumb animals, I have dealt with 

 the subject rather in detail in Chapter XVI., 

 much of it being compiled from my notes while 

 using anaesthetics. 



In Chapter XVII., for the benefit of the 

 scientific mind, I have gone rather deeply into 

 bacteriology, as the subject is replete with 

 interest and importance. Most of the chapter 

 is compiled from my notes while studying the 

 subject under Professor Amyott, of Toronto 

 University. 



I have felt it my duty to add some notes on 

 the prevention of human disease. 



In Chapter XVIII. I have pointed out in detail 



