52 



A favoiu'ite argument with that numerous class, who are 

 contented to follow m the track of then- neighbours, is, that 

 horses have always been kept in stalls ; therefore, say they, 

 it cannot hurt them. This is very like the argument about 

 skinning eels ; custom may proclaim them to be used to it ; 

 but each individual experiences the self-same torture, as its 

 ^predecessor ; whether it be the eel deprived of its skin, or 

 the horse of the soundness of its foot. Unluckily the pro- 

 gress of disease in the horse's foot is for the most part so 

 gradual, as to escape the notice of common observers almost 

 entirely, until it is forced upon their attention in the form 

 of palpable lameness ; when the real cause is naturally enough 

 overlooked, in the desire to fix it upon some recent occurrence. 

 If the advocates for continuing the use of stalls will inquire 

 among horse-masters in general, whether they have ever been 

 obhged to part with a horse for lameness, the cause of which 

 they could never distinctly trace 1 the answer, they will 

 assuredly obtain, coupled with the foregoing observations, I 

 will ventui'e to hope, may lead some of them at least to 

 suspect, that the time honoured stall may very fairly be 

 charged with a considerable share of the mischief 



The real fact is, that nothing short of a miracle can save 

 a horse, which is habitually confined day after day to one 

 spot, from most destructive changes in the delicate and 

 complicated mechanism of the foot. The gi-eatest amount of 

 care and attention, that we can bestow upon the form and 

 fastening of the shoe, will be of little avail, if the foot, to 

 which it is attached, be not permitted to move. Frequent 

 and regular motion is absolutdy essential to a sound and 



