48 



from all other causes combined. The rest, and not the ivorh, 

 has wi-ought the ill. Now let us see, how loose boxes are 

 to prevent these evils. When a horse is free to move, he 

 very rarely remains long in the same place, or the same 

 position ; he is perpetually turning himself about, either to 

 catch a distant sound, or observe an apjDroaching footstep ; 

 every thing attracts him ; every thing interests him ; and. 

 what is of far greater moment, every thing causes him to 

 move, whereby each foot is benefited to the extent of some 

 four or five expansions and contractions ; and the sound of 

 the corn bin at feeding time will produce at least fifty such. 

 It is far otherwise with the poor beast, chamed up in a 

 .stall ; he is attracted by the same sounds ; hears the same 

 step ajjproach ; and feels the same interest ; he pricks his 

 ears, bends his head, and strains his neck ; but alas ! he 

 does not move ; his feet are not expanded ; turning about 

 he knows to be impossible, and therefore he does not attempt 

 it : even the sound of the corn bin, though it excite him 

 to jump and i^lay, will scarcely cause him to expand his 

 feet ; the excitement inclines him to rush forward, while the 

 wall forbids him to comply ; and he is forced to collect 

 himself, so as to throw his weight upon his hind quarters 

 almost to the entire exclusion of the fore feet. Horses, 

 accustomed to a loose box, generally acquire a slow, deliberate 

 movement in it, allowing their weight to dwell evenly and 

 fully upon each fore foot ; while those kept in a stall for the 

 most part move in it with a quick, sudden, catching motion, 

 scarely ever entrusting their whole weight to either foot for 

 more than an instant. 



