BOXES FOB HOESES. 211 



will find him, at most times, when not actually feed- 

 ing, with his nose close to the bars. If the top door 

 is quite open (supposing he can be trusted with it 

 so), he will be found half the day with his head and 

 neck thrust out of it, watching what is going for- 

 ward. That they do this is quite clear, and are amused 

 by it. 



It may be alleged that racehorses live constantly 

 in boxes, and do well in them. But it is quite futile 

 the comparing them with other horses. They are 

 bred, treated, and used, in a way peculiar to their 

 caste. A racehorse, unless it is a gelding or mare, 

 must be kept in a box. He is used to it from a colt, 

 and his very nature is changed by treatment. In- 

 stead of missing his fellows or hailing the sight of 

 them with pleasure, in very many instances he can- 

 not be allowed to approach them ; he is, in fact, in 

 such case a domesticated wild beast, kept for the 

 purpose of running for money. I do not mean that 

 he is actually fer(K natures — he is no more so by 

 nature than any other horse ; but he is rendered so 

 by the way he is brought up, and consequently the 



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