120 THE HORSE. 



material objects, preservation of the horse's health, 

 and putting him into a condition, enabling him in due 

 time, to undergo with vigour, and in a creditable 

 style, such exertions as may be required of him. 

 The species intended in this place are saddle and 

 coach horses; or indeed any, with the exception of 

 the sporting kind, racers and hunters, which demand 

 a more material and extensive consideration. For 

 those horses, of whatever description, which are en- 

 gaged in constant labour abroad, beyond all doubt, 

 that exercise is most salubrious and preservative 

 which they can give to themselves upon a comfort- 

 able and well-littered bed, not being made a fixture 

 to the manger, but having full liberty to change 

 their position, to turn, lie down, and roll, seeking the 

 best postures in which to assuage their aches and 

 pains ; to stretch their contracted, and to ease and 

 support their loosened sinews. For this desirable 

 end, the loose stall already described, formerly en- 

 titled by an old friend, the Laurentian stall, affords 

 the readiest opportunities. 



To keep the horse in condition, there is much 

 pith and meaning in that word, he should be taken 

 out twice, or once a day, according to season and the 

 state of the weather. These airings should be daily 

 and regular, omitted only in those excesses of foul 

 weather, the exposure to which can be beneficial nei- 

 ther to man or beast. This tolerance, however, must 

 not go the length of excusing a groom who is afraid 

 of ruffling his horse's coat, or soiling his legs, from 

 the dread of a little additional trouble. The covered 

 rides in great stables, and those in livery stables, 



