ON MAN AND ANIMALS. 
509 
two qualities are developed. Exercise produces suppleness in a 
horse, and strength and endurance under the severest trials and the 
most laborious work. Nothing is so contrary to the horse’s nature, 
destined as he is for exertion, as lengthened and continuous rest. 
With a view of setting forth the indispensable necessity of exercise 
for horses, it will be as well to enumerate the inconveniences result- 
ing from want of exercise. 
First, prolonged repose in the stable favours in the animal the 
plastic process. His fibres become distended, the cellular tissue 
surcharged with fat, insomuch that the whole body grows weak in 
proportion as it grows bulky, and in a short time becomes a spongy 
mass, lacking altogether energy and vigour. In such a condition 
the horse proves a burthen to himself. 
Secondly, the muscular system grows w*eak not only in pro- 
portion to the relaxation of its fibre and to the softening of the 
whole body, but, in addition as the surcharge of useless fat incom- 
modes in particular the extensor muscles in their movements, 
which succumb under the weight of fat ; and thus it is that we see 
horses over-fed and under-worked become short-steppers, found- 
ered, &c. 
Thirdly, the over-fat horse not only becomes soon fatigued, but 
in going wears his legs out faster, and, above all, does mischief to 
his feet. Having an enormous weight to carry, the hoof spreads 
and undergoes various deformities, more or less remarkable accord- 
ing to its nature; such deformities being always slow, frequently 
difficult of removal, and such as keep the horse for a greater or 
less time out of work. 
Fourthly, for want of exercise the wind grows short, accumu- 
lation of fat in the cavity of the chest being opposed to a free ex- 
pansion of the lungs. This likewise detracts from the speed of 
the horse, and from his power of enduring fatigue. 
Fifthly, excessive embonpoint impedes the freedom of respira- 
tion, and tends to the formation within the body of carbon. And 
this accumulation, favoured by a tardy respiration, becomes the 
occasion of renewed deposit of fat; and since, at the same time, 
the blood becomes thick, it is considered as the source in animals 
in general of many maladies. 
Sixthly, inaction weakens the digestive functions. Horses that 
have too little exercise are more subject than others to colics and 
indigestions. 
Seventhly, the general circulation of liquids penetrating the 
tissues becoming more tardy, the consequence is a disproportion 
between venous and arterial blood. The more sluggish respiration 
grows the less arterial blood is made ; and while the blood engorges 
the veins it becomes surcharged with carbon, as is evinced by its 
