52 THE HORSE: ITS KEEP AND MANAGEMENT. 



instances. I noticed that when the brick or asphalte 

 floors were washed down, it naturally made them very 

 slippery, and when the horses wanted to lie down they 

 managed that very well. The getting up part, however, 

 was quite another matter, as their feet often slipped 

 from under them. I have seen many horses try to rise 

 from the bricks, and fall right down again. 



It must be understood that the horse is quite different 

 from the cow. The latter goes down upon its knees first 

 and then drops down altogether. The horse drops his 

 hind part first, and when getting up puts his fore feet out 

 first ; while the cow rises with its hind legs first, and gets up 

 very steadily on to its fore feet there is no slipping with the 

 cow. When, however, horses make a start to get up, they 

 spring upon their legs, drawing their feet up, and if the 

 floor of the stable, where they are lying, is smooth, they 

 often make a slip, even if they do not go right down. 



To prove this statement, let those who may be going 

 through London streets, where there are asphalte roads, 

 notice horses which have fallen down, what a difficult 

 matter it is for them to get upon their feet again. In many- 

 cases the drivers are unable to get them up till they 

 fetch some sand, and spread round where the horse falls. 

 Now a horse standing in a stable, paved as many of 

 them are at the present day, is in just about the same 

 position. 



Those who are interested in, and watch the noble 

 animals in the stable, will notice that seventeen out of 



