76 THE STUD. 



of the anatomy causes an unpleasant feeling to 

 the rider (if feeling he has, and which I have no 

 right to doubt) ; and further than this, there is, 

 or at least should be, always an apprehension of 

 any sudden strain or exertion, rendering bad ten 

 times worse ; and this most probably sooner or 

 later would occur. It is by no means improbable, 

 that, if galloping along ever so pleasantly on a 

 horse at all injured in the back, a sudden jerk 

 might occasion such intense agony to the animal, 

 that he would roll over like a shot hare, and, by 

 no means impossible, as dead as one, for the 

 extent of the injury can only be surmised from 

 external appearances, the acts of the animal 

 when going, or, on the loins being pinched and 

 pressed, to find the seat of the injury, and this is 

 no test to be trusted to. 



If we were aware that a horse had a simple 

 strain of the muscles of the loins, severe though 

 it might be, such a horse might be purchased 

 with great hopes of a radical and perfect cure 

 being effected, by proper treatment and length of 

 time, and he might then be and continue as well 

 as he was before the accident. If we had such a 

 horse and liked him, there would be no necessity 

 for parting with him : but even in this favourable 

 state I should not advise such a one being bought ; 

 for some little hidden injury might still be there 

 that might on a sudden come against him ; and, 



