58 



purpose to consider the smallest j^ossihle quantity, with which 

 we can hope to keep our horses' feet in a sound and 

 healthy condition ; tliis I sliould put at two hours a day ; 

 and a pitiful allowance it undoubtedly is in a case, where 

 nature has dictated almost constant movement ; but so 

 niggardly are horse-masters in general of this most essential 

 requisite, that they will scarcely ever allow thek horses 

 more tlxan from half to three fourths of an hour daily ; 

 and we find men, who are profuse in the expensive luxuries 

 of excessive feeding, clothing, and pamjjering, turn wonderful 

 economists in the inexpensive necessaries of air and exercise. 

 Trotting a hoi'se to and fro upon a hard road for half an 

 hour, just to stretch his limbs, and keep them from swelling, 

 is too frequently considered to be fully sufficient exercise 

 for the day ; and I verily believe, if men could ride better, 

 and horses' legs did not swell from long continued confine- 

 ment, many horses would never be exercised at all beyond 

 their positive work ; but most men are very sensitive al^out 

 the slightest appearance of swelling in then- horses' legs ; 

 and nature has implanted in most horses such a Hvely 

 mode of expressing their joy at the change from the close 

 atmosphere of the stable to the freshness of the open air, 

 that a kind of comjiact seems formed between pride and 

 fear, to extort for the poor beast at least sufficient exercise, 

 to keep his legs fine, and his exuberant spuits withm 

 ridahle houucls. 



The only other subject, requiring especial notice, is the 

 treatment of the foot in the stable ; the directions for which 

 are few and simple. The horny crust has a great tendency 



