VIEWS OF A VETERAN". 147 



hard substance. See that the hoof is not pared beyond absolute 

 necessity, and that the shoe is properly fitted to it, and not the hoof 

 to the shoe. Do not allow the bottom of the hoof to be burnt or 

 even scorched with a hot shoe, in order to make it set evenly, but 

 pare it properly to do so. 



THE HARNESS AND SADDLE. 



Keep the harness well oiied and supple, and when either 

 that or the saddle is put on the horse, see that it fits nicely, 

 and does not chafe any part of the body or limbs. In winter be 

 careful to warm the bridle bit before using it, otherwise it might be 

 frosty enough to freeze to the inside of the mouth, and stick long 

 enough to blister it and the tongue badly. Never permit a check 

 rein on the harness bridle to be hooked up tight as drivers will persist 

 in doing ; it gives the horse great pain, especially when standing, as 

 all may observe from seeing him constantly tossing his head up and 

 down, and one side to the other, seeking relief from the cruel tor- 

 ment. In addition to this, it soon makes a hard mouth, and when 

 moving along, and especially while ascending a hill, the horse can- 

 not stretch out his head and neck as is necessary for him in order to 

 use his full strength to move the load more easily to which he is 

 attached. 



BLINDERS. 



The use of the blinders is a pernicious custom. If a horse 

 is broken to harness as he should be without them, there never will 

 be any necessity of wearing them. They are injurious to the eyes 

 and the vision, and it is as absurd to use them in harness as it would 

 be under the saddle. The horse is much more liable to shy, jump, 

 rear, and even run, with blinders, than without them. Having had 

 horses with all these tricks in my possession, I changed the bridle 

 for one without blinders, and they soon ceased their capers; for they 

 could then fully see all objects on both sides in gradually approach- 

 ing them, as well as in front, and thus were not troubled or scared. 

 The best harness-broken horses I found in my travels abroad were 

 in Russia, and they wore no bUnders. I never saw even those 

 of the highest spirit either shy, jimip, rear, or attempt to run. 

 In driving out, teach the horse to stop instantly at the word 

 "whoa," especially in descending a hill. If the harness then, or 

 anything about the carriage, should give way, this would prevent 

 its crowding against the horse or cause him to be frightened. 



CONCLUSION. 



The horse is the noblest, the most beautiful, and the most use- 

 ful of all our domestic animals. Without this faithful servant, 



