236 REVIEW — THE HORSE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. 
general amongst all classes of horses in the East, and is caused by 
the constant habit of hobbling the fore-legs to the hind ones while 
in the stable at rest. It offers a good illustration of the power 
which a custom continued for numberless generations has on the 
proportions and form of the existing animal. Their legs are 
exceeding clean, and their feet good and free from contraction. 
Splints are nearly unknown. Spavins sometimes occur, from the 
Arab habit of throwing a horse on his haunches for display, which 
is likewise a frequent cause of abdominal hernia. They are active, 
enduring, and extremely sure-footed. Few blind horses are seen, 
which appears rather extraordinary, as blindness is so very fre- 
quent among the people. The prevailing colours are the grey and 
chestnut. Castration is not practised. The most frequent diseases 
are mange, farcy, and glanders. Many Egyptian horses find their 
way into this country under the name of Arabs.” Pp. 65, 66. 
Chap. IV, “ The Paces, Action, Draught, Safety, and Speed! 
The author, in strong language, condemns the bearing-rein; 
his condemnations, however* are not altogether unqualified : 
“ I am anxious, in this place, to add my anathema against that 
inhuman instrument of torture, the bearing-rein. It is no less 
detrimental to the utility of the animal than it is replete with agony 
to him. It must have been invented by a savage, and can only be 
employed by the insensate. Whence the benefit of unbearing a 
draught-horse when going up-hill ? Because the head can then 
be thrown into its natural position, and materially assist by its 
weight in drawing the load. If it is beneficial to loose the head at 
that time, it must also be so on other occasions. Look at the 
elongated mouths of the unfortunate animals thus so wantonly 
abused — torn by the bit in their unavailing efforts to overcome 
this truly barbarous instrument! What produces that dreadful 
disease, poll-evil, but the action of this cruel strap ; constraining 
the head during the violent exertions of the animal, producing 
inflammation and ulceration of the point upon which it articulates 
with the spine ? Poll-evil, so generally supposed to originate from 
blows inflicted on the part, is attributable alone to the gagging- 
rein. I never saw a horse used entirely for the saddle attacked 
with this affection. In order to obtain momentary relief from the 
torment inflicted by the bearing-rein on the poll and mouth, the 
poor creature is compelled incessantly to toss up his head. By thus 
strapping down the head you say, practically, 1 I expect you to 
draw a certain weight, but I will take away part of your power of 
doing so.’ Some have urged, that the bearing-rein contributes to the 
safety of the animal, who, without it, would be more liable to come 
