NECESSARY QUALIFICATIONS. 1 4o 



to be observed in the purchase of the road coach* 

 horse. As in drawing, the force applied proceeds 

 from the fulcrum formed by the hinder-feet, well 

 spread gaskins and thighs form a main excellence. 

 His fore-legs also should be good to make him a 

 safe wheel-horse, nor can he throw his whole weight 

 int^ his collar, unless he be sound in his feet. But 

 alas, how many are thus deprived of their natural 

 powers, by being worked upon unsound feet, and 

 expected to exert themselves to the utmost. 



There is no truth so easily proved, or so pain- 

 fully felt by the post-master, at least in his pocket, 

 as that, it is the pace that kills. A horse at a dead 

 pull, or at the beginning of his pull, is enabled, by 

 the force of his muscles, to throw a certain weight 

 into the collar. If he walk four miles in the hour, 

 some part of that muscular energy must be expend- 

 ed in the act of walking ; and, consequently, the 

 power of drawing must be proportionally dimi- 

 nished. If he trot eight miles in the hour, more 

 animal power is expended in the trot, and less re- 

 mains for the draught ; but the draught continues 

 the same, and, to enable him to accomplish his 

 work, he must tax his energies to a degree that is 

 cruel in itself, and that must speedily wear him 

 out. 



Let it be supposed — what all cannot accomplish 

 — that a horse shall be able, by fair exertion and 

 without distress, to throw, at a dead pull, a weight 

 into his collar, or exert a force equal to 216 lbs. ; 

 or, in other words, let him be able to draw a load 

 which requires a force of 216 lbs. to move. Let him 



