130 Roaring in Horses. 



other breeds, as the coarser and heavier horses and ponies, 

 ■which are not so abused in their very juvenile days, and 

 are allowed to develop in a more natural manner, there is 

 no necessity to insist upon this predisposing cause being 

 abolished — as the defect is rare in them ; but for the 

 thoroughbreds, upon which the perfecting of our speed- 

 horses must depend, such injurious, premature treatment as 

 they now receive merits earnest condemnation. Until a 

 hors'e has reached an advanced stage of development, its 

 organs and tissues cannot be subjected to severe wear 

 and strain with impunity, no matter how much that 

 development may be forced artificially. Growth may be 

 accelerated, but with it consolidation is required to consti- 

 tute maturity — and this cannot be so easily controlled, or 

 hurriedly brought about. Nature cannot be coerced beyond 

 a certain degree without resenting the compulsion ; and to 

 exact exertion from a two-years-old horse as if he were a 

 four-years-old — no matter how he may be stimulated to 

 growth by hot stables and rich food — cannot be otherwise 

 than damaging to him, and especially to the organs of respira- 

 tion, circulation, and locomotion. 



By deferring the training and racing of thoroughbreds 

 for a year or two, the predisposition to this and other 

 damaging defects would be immensely lessened, if not alto- 

 gether got rid of, and a more healthy and useful race of 

 horses ensured. 



(c) Hygienic Managevient. 

 In cold, damp countries, and especially those in which 

 there are sudden falls and rises in temperature, in order to 

 maintain horses fit for labour, and indeed as an essential 

 element in their improvement, they must be protected from 

 the effects of climate by lodging them in stables, and keeping 

 them comfortable. But unless much care is exercised in 

 this housing, harm is done, and a predisposition to disease 

 of the respiratory organs established. Badly-ventilated and 



