BOC DavbD'S VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 
to l:. identified with the operation, there are other reasons, on the 
grounds of physiology, why the tail should be left entire, espe- 
dially in the case of a mare; but, as the reader is probably con- 
versant with the facts in the case, I shall not enter into a discussion 
of the same, but prefer to introduce the following paragraph 
written by a person who aims at reform: 
“T am glad that the abominable practice of docking and nick- 
ing herses is going out of fashion. It prevails in no country in 
the world besides England and the United States. We got it 
from the mother country, and the sooner we leave it off the bet- 
ter. It is wonderful how any body but an ignorant, narrow- 
minded blockhead of a jockey should ever have thought of it, 
being as offensive to good taste as it is a violation of every hu- 
mane feeling. Has Nature done her work in such a bungling 
manner in forming that paragon of animals, the horse, that a large 
piece of bone should be chopped off with an ax to reduce him tc 
symmetry, or that beauty and grace can be obtained only by cut- 
ting a pair of his large muscles? ‘The docking and nicking of 
horses,’ says an intelligent writer on farriery, ‘is a shockingly cruel 
practice, and ought to be abandoned by the whole race of mankind. 
Every human being, possessed of feeling and a magnanimous 
mind, must confess that it is cruel and entirely uncalled for; but 
that creature called man attempts thus to mend the works of his 
almighty, wise Creator, in doing which he often spoils and dis- 
figures them. What is more beautiful than a fine horse, with an 
elegant, long tail and a flowing mane waving in the sports of the 
wind, and exhibiting itself in a perfect state of nature? Besides, 
our Creator has given them for defense as well as beauty.” The 
same author relates an instance of a fine hunting horse, owned by 
an Englishman, which would carry its rider over the highest five- 
barred gate with ease; but he thought that the horse did not carry 
as good a tail as he wished; he therefore had him nicked, and 
when the horse got well, he could scarcely carry over two bare. 
‘Thus,’ said he, ‘I have spoiled a fine horse; and no wonder, for 
it weakened his loins.’ Any man of common sense would give 
ten per cent. 1ore for a fine horse whose tail had never been 
mutilate, than for one which had been under the hands of 2 
jockey.” 
