THE HORSE : ITS KEEP AND MANAGEMENT. 59 



than double the time without swelling in the legs, if it is 

 accustomed to lying down in the day-time. 



The horse I referred to is as perfect in his legs as he 

 was when six months old. Some readers may think he is a 

 slow jogging horse, and does not go fast. There is 

 certainly something in that. Of course, a horse which goes 

 along slowly usually lasts longer on the legs than one 

 which travels at a high speed. This cob of mine has 

 many times done a mile in less than three minutes trotting, 

 and not a day passed without his doing a mile in less 

 than four minutes, that was doing five and six miles 

 together. So we cannot call him a slow jogging horse 

 exactly. 



Take cart horses for instance. On a Sunday, when 

 they are not at work, they are bedded down, and if 

 we take a peep in the stable between half-past ten 

 and half-past twelve, supposing there are ten horses, 

 we shall find from four to eight out of that number 

 lying down, sometimes every one of them Many gentle- 

 men will not have straw put under the horses in the 

 day time, and I repeat again I cannot help thinking this 

 is a great mistake. Horses have a great weight upon their 

 legs, and the more they are encouraged to lie down the 

 more fit they are for work. I have known one or two cart 

 horses which went blind and grew very restless in the 

 stable, and appeared afraid to lie down after they were six 

 years old ; they were worn out after they were from 

 twelve to fourteen years old. Those which have been in 

 the habit of lying down have been finer horses. 



