PEEFACE 



Of the thirteen million horses which are estimated to be owned 

 in the United States, fully two millions are kept in cities and vil- 

 lages. All of these, besides many of those classed as farm horses, 

 are purchased after they have attained full growth, and have been 

 broken to harness or saddle. The owners of such horses have no 

 personal interest in questions relating to breeding or early training; 

 but the subsequent care, feeding and management are matters of 

 daily importance to them. It is to meet the wants of such persons 

 that this work was prepared. Breeding and training are not dis- 

 cussed in its pages, but it treats of the daily care, shelter and 

 management of horses, whether kept for work or pleasure. The 

 subject of feeding is examined at some length, both from a scientific 

 and a practical point of view. The horse well merits the most care- 

 ful, judicious and humane treatment. It is the willing, affectionate 

 servant of man, bearing his burdens and ministering to his pleasure. 

 Yet no other domestic animal is subject to so great and varied an 

 amount of suffering and disability. Nearly, if not quite all, of these 

 are the result of either well-meant ignorance or willful maltreat- 

 ment. A vast mass of quackery, empiricism and superstition in 

 regard to horse management has become traditional. Much of this 

 is being dispelled through the efforts of enlightened American 

 veterinary practitioners and horse- keepers. This work is in full 

 sympathy with the ideas and practices of such men. 



The last four chapters were originally published in the Ameri- 

 can Agriculturist. They were awarded the highest prizes in a 

 competition which drew out more than seventy essays, the examin- 

 ing committee being composed of men recognized as leading author- 

 ities in horse matters. 



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