REPOSE 361 



well, nor lasts so long, as when he lies six or eight hours 

 daily. The legs fail, the horse becomes stiff; his joints and 

 sinews suffer from repeated slight attacks of inflammation, 

 which at last produce lameness. The work is blamed, and 

 very often work is the only cause ; but sometimes it is the 

 want of rest, not excess of work, that does the mischief. 



The bed should be well made, the stall sufficiently wide, 

 and the stable quiet. There should be no work going on, nor 

 any person admitted to the stable while the horse is reposing, 

 lor while he is likely to be lying. Two horses should never 

 stand all night in one stall, as often happens at crowded 

 tables. Neither can lie, and that rest which either could 

 take standing, is broken by the other. 



Some horses never lie, they sleep standing, or reclining 

 against the travis. A few sink on their knees, and sleep for 

 a few minutes in that position. Some have a stiffness of the 

 back, which renders them unable to rise without assistance, 

 and therefore they forbear to lie, assistance not always coming 

 when they want it. Others have got a fright in a narrow 

 stall, which may have prevented them from rising easily, or 

 at all. This is remembered for ever, and the horse stands 

 always, however wide his stall may be made. Others still, 

 revise to lie after having been halter-cast and severely in- 

 jured ; they will not lie while the head is tied. 



Some of these horses may, however, be induced to lie. 

 Try a loose box, where the horse will have plenty of room, 

 and need not be tied up. If that can not be procured, put 

 two gangway bales to his stall ; these will confine him to it, 

 and his head may be free. His stall should be wide. 



If the horse can not be induced to lie, he may be supported 

 while standing. Place him in slings. This apparatus con- 

 sists of a broad canvass-belt, which goes under the belly, ex- 

 tending from the points of the elbows to the sheath. At each 

 extremity there is a strong shaft, or staff, to which the sus- 

 pending ropes are attached, and carried to the roof, or stall- 

 posts. A breast-strap and a breechin are necessary to keep 

 the belt in its place. The horse is not suspended. The 

 belt is fixed close to the belly. When the horse is disposed 

 to rest his legs, he has only to bend them, and the belt re- 

 ceives his body. Whenever he is tired of this support, he 

 again stands on his legs. The breechin should be strong and 

 broad, for many horses throw as much weight upon that as 

 upon the belt. The belt is commonly made out of a canvass 

 sack, stuffed with hav, and stitched like a mattress, 



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