REVIEW — THE HORSE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. 237 
down. However applicable such an argument may be to those 
employed in quick draught — though even with them the utility of 
this instrument is not only exceedingly doubtful, but fast giving 
way to a more rational method of treatment — it assuredly does not 
apply to cart horses, for little fear is ever entertained of their falling ; 
and broken knees, so common among the faster breeds, is rare 
amongst them.” Pp. 113, 114. 
The Trot. 
“The Persians, the Arabians, and the Moors of Barbary and 
Morocco, whose habits are so purely equestrian, do not suffer their 
horses to adopt this pace, probably from the fact of its being less 
pleasant to the rider.” P. 116. 
On Racing the author makes the following judicious comments: 
— “ It must be obvious that the practice of racing should be such 
as to encourage and promote the qualities desired to be perpe- 
tuated, and such as are of the greatest public value. Thus in 
Persia, continued speed being the object required, the race is pro- 
tracted for several days, so as to be a severe test of endurance ; a 
quality of considerable importance in travelling from one part of 
the country to the other, and in transmitting expresses. On the 
contrary, in South America, where sudden speed is useful, and 
commonly called for in taking wild cattle, the race is exceedingly 
short. In these instances the qualities sought to be encouraged 
are those of the greatest and most common use. So in England, 
something besides speed being requisite, it should be the study of 
those possessing influence in these matters to direct the public 
taste to the encouragement of qualities of national importance. 
Marshal Marmont judiciously observes on this topic, that * Les 
encouragemens, les prix, les primes, devraient etre calcules sur des 
epreuves applicables aux besoins des divers usages publics et 
domestiques, et non pas etre la recompense d’un merite ideal.” 
P. 129. 
Chap. V, “ Demonstrations of the Horses Age." 
“ Horses at twenty years old are often met with in cases where 
the least humanity has been bestowed on their management. 
Eclipse died at the age of twenty-five, Flying Childers at twenty- 
six. Burns’s mare Maggie attained more than twenty-nine years*. 
Bucephalus, the celebrated horse of Alexander of Macedon, lived 
* “ Its now some nine-an’-twenty year 
Sin’ thou was my guid father’s meere ; 
He gied me thee, o’ tocher clear, 
An’ fifty mark : 
yj, Tho’ it was sma’, ’twas weel-won gear, 
An’ thou was stark.” 
The Auld Farmer's New Years Salutation to his Auld Mare Maggie. 
VOL. XIX. K k 
