quality. Horses of the Shire and Clyde ting, glove-like skin; hair fine and silky, 



breeds often look coarse at first sight on an abundance of finish and absence of 



account of their Roman noses and hairy coarseness, but not necessarily small 



legs, but in the best specimens of these bone. When slightly exerted the skin will 



breeds the long hair about the fetlocks is show clearly an intricate network of veins, 



fine and silky, and their heads, though not Coarse hair is usually associated with a 



handsome, are clean-cut. coarse skin and a soft, spongy bone which 



Quality is thus described by Professor is weak and subject to disease. With qual- 



Rufus C. Obrccht of the Unixersity of ity the muscles stand out prominently and 



Illinois: " Quality in a horse is of prime are clearly defined, which aids in giving a 



importance. This term when applied to horse finish. Quality is a strong indica- 



horses has reference to their bones, skin, tion of the extent of a horse's endurance, 



hair and muscles. Its presence is shown These two characteristics are closely asso- 



by clean-cut features of the head; firm, ciated, and a horse lacking in quality is 



clean bone; tendons well defined; close fit- comparatively a cheap animal." 



Cfje #ors;e's; draper 



(Distributed by the Mass. S. P. C. A.) 



To THEE, MY MASTER, I offer my prayer: Feed me, water and care for me, and, when the 

 day's work is done, provide me with shelter, a clean, dry bed^nd a. stall wide enough for me to lie down in 

 comfort. 



Always be kind to me. Talk to me. Your voice often means as much to me as the reins. Pet 

 me sometimes, that I may serve you the more gladly and learn to love you. Do not jerk the reins, and 

 do not whip me when going up hill. Never strike, beat or kick me when I do not understand what you 

 want, but give me a chance to understand you. Watch me, and if I fail to do your bidding, see if something 

 is not wrong with my harness or feet. 



Do not check me so that I cannot have the free use of my head. If you insist that I wear blinders, 

 so that I cannot see behind me as it was intended I should, I pray you be careful that the blinders stand 

 well out from my eyes. 



Do not overload me, or hitch me where water will drip on me. Keep me well shod. Examine 

 my teeth when I do not eat. I may have an ulcerated tooth; and that, you know, is very painful. Do 

 not tie my head in an unnatural position, or take away my best defense against flies and mosquitoes by 

 cutting off my tail. 



I cannot tell you when I am thirsty, so give me clean, cool water often. Save me, by all means in 

 your power, from that fatal disease — the glanders. I cannot tell you in words when I am sick, so watch 

 me, that by signs you may know my condition. Giv^e me all possible shelter from the hot sun, and put 

 a blanket on me, not when I am working, but when I am standing in the cold. Never put a frosty bit in 

 my mouth; first warm it by holding it a moment in your hands. 



I try to carry you and }our burdens without a murmur, and wait patiently for you long hours of 

 the day or night. Without the power to choose my shoes or path, I sometimes fall on the hard pavements 

 which I have often prayed might not be of wood, but of such a nature as to give me a safe and sure footing. 

 Remember that I must be ready at any moment to lose my life in your service. 



And finally, O MY MASTER, when my useful strength is gone, do not turn me out to starve or 

 freeze, or sell me to some cruel owner, to be slowly tortured and starved to death; but do thou, my master, 

 take my life in the kindest way, and your God will reward you here and hereafter. You will not consider 

 me irreverent if I ask this in the name of Him who was born in a Stable. — Amen. 



107 



