122 THE HORSE. 



I dare not excuse myself from saying a few words 

 in behalf of the miserable victims of our public road 

 work, at the same time convinced by a disgustful, 

 discouraging experience of how little avail my remon- 

 strances or advice can possibly be. The poor foun- 

 dered and crippled post hack, or coach horse, whilst 

 unengaged and standing day after day, fastened to 

 the manger, in a miserable narrow stall, is, in an 

 especial manner in want of relief from the foul and 

 heated atmosphere of the stable, and also of liberty 

 and motion for his stiffened limbs. It is true that 

 the owners of these are convinced of the necessity of 

 such relief, since we are constantly seeing horses of 

 this description exercised upon the London pave- 

 ment, or . in miserable coachyards, every step 

 over the rough and uneven surface of which must 

 prove a renewed torture to the animals' crippled 

 joints and surbated hoofs. But what is still worse, 

 the hard headed, inconsiderate, and no-hearted owners 

 of these miserable beasts set up heavy fourteen or 

 fifteen stone fellows, equally considerate with them- 

 selves, to ride exercise ; or urchins of boys, bred in 

 the same school, whip or stick in hand, to abuse, 

 harass, and flurry the poor animals up and down, 

 sorely pained and wincing at every step. The indoor 

 exercise for cripples is, in course, the loose stable; 

 abroad, soft ground when at hand, the only pace a 

 walk, and if the horse must be ridden, a light weight ; 

 better still that he be led by the rider of another horse. 

 The country, however, affords opportunities for these 

 horses to air and exercise themselves, which is far the 

 most beneficial course. The following occurrence, as 



