74 
REVIEW. 
reasons will apply* why we* Veterinarians* in the present in- 
stance* should be desirous of exploring the little work now 
before us. The subjoined passages from the “ Preface ” will 
show its object : — 
“The object of this w r ork is to point out the best means 
to render the horse fit for actual service of every kind. The 
mysteries which formerly enshrouded the stable have long 
been laid bare. * * Any person who is fond of horses* 
endowed with moderate assiduity, observation* and judgment* 
may direct the management of a few race-horses*” &c. 
Chapter I treats of “ Stables.” On their necessity (in this 
country) as being inferrible from the natural habits of the 
horse, we do not quite fall in with our author’s views. 
He says — 
“ By viewing the habits of the horse in a state of nature, 
W'e might be led to the conclusion that, when domesticated* 
he would require no buildings of any kind for his accom- 
modation : experience, however* teaches us that he must be 
sheltered from the vicissitudes of this climate, and above all* 
that the stables which he inhabits imperatively require the 
most scrupulous nicety of arrangement* if the utmost amount 
of his powers is to be made subservient to our use ” 
Referring back to the history of the horse — recollecting w r hat 
w T as the origin of our best stock in this country — we certainly 
should be rather led to the conclusion that he would require 
a house to shield him* at certain seasons in particular* from 
the inclemencies and vicissitudes of our northern sea-girt 
islands. He is* in his high-bred state* an exotic* calling for 
all the care and artificial treatment of a green-house plant ; 
and is* if we may use the expression* made by culture what he 
in condition appears. And therefore stables* like our own habi- 
tations, are better when they stand upon a dry or drained 
soil* and have genial aspects. And as “boxes” are nowa- 
days constructed, with communications of some sort one 
w r ith another* we think with our author* that there is a decided 
advantage in this ; and one w^hich, for the most part* over- 
balances some disadvantages attending it. 
“ The social disposition manifested by many horses is such 
