Modern horse management

Front matter

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Preface

By professor ALFRED SAVIGEAR

In placing this book before the pubhc the author is placing much informatior] great value to the horseman and horse owner, and is very greatly helping the lol our friend the horse. It is for this latter reason that the author has compiled work.

I am extremely pleased to find that an old pupil of mine has given up the t and study necessary to produce such a book.

Chapters III., IV., V., and VII. are of particular interest to me. So is Chaj XIII. ; in fact, it was the subject in this chapter that brought the author and my together. I thoroughly endorse every word he says in the chapters on cruelty.

I strongly advise riders to read the author's notes on riding. Were it not his ability and practical and calm methods adopted in riding young horses I wc never have allowed him to ride so many of my young horses and to assist mt other ways in my school at Earl's Court. Wlien under my tuition he was alw looking for advice. May I emphasise the three important qualifications that a ho; man should possess, and which fact the author strongly impresses upon his reac — good hands, good seat, and a perfect control of temper when working with hors

The Press has rightly acknowledged the author as an authority on horse matt and I was delighted to read that he had lectured with such success in many h cities, including H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught among his hearers. His rems on training are mostly common-sense ones, and the result of minute study i practical experience.

My advice to conceited riders : clear your mind of conceit — dismiss the i that you excel everyone else. Practice on sound principles makes perfect ; but false principles confirms mischievous habits.

To the student who has studied until the type has almost melted before his e^ regardless of the lamentable state of his health, I strongly advise that he take prescription of the old family physician — healthy horse exercise. But, as in ev( thing else, riding must be taught by one who can ride, and who can teach. ' average groom who teaches riding knows little about it. Do not despise the sch^ vin

PREFACE

I have had fifty-six years' experience in it and across country. Why do the French, Belgian, and Russian horsemen beat us at Olympia ? Because they study the subject and make use of the school, whilst we are apt to think that we have nothing to learn.

Money spent on horses is well spent, and is always better than half the money spent on a doctor's bill. There is no finer health-giving exercise in the world. No one who has the opportunity to take it can ever say, " Oh, what can I do to-day ? "

ALFRED SAVIGEAR.

Earl's Court, S.W.

Chapter I

author's introduction

Aims and Scope of the Work — Acknowledgments

Chapter II

Earliest Knowledge of the Horse — Biblical References — Classical References — The Horse at the Time of the Roman Invasion — At the Time of the Conquest — In More Modern Times — Various Breeds Considered — The Horse in Geology — Etymology of the Horse — Geological Position of the Horse — The Equine Machine Described ............ 4

Chapter III Psychology Of The Horse

The Horse's Mind — The Horse's Memory — Outward Signs — Superiority of Man — Obedience — Reactions— Caresses — Associations — Punishment — Fear — Principles of Training — Circus Horses — Cruelty of Horse Dealers ............. H

Chapter IV Foods And Feeding— Exercise And Transport

Introductory — The Digestive Organs — Composition and Values of Foods — Appetite — ^Watering — Conditioning Horses — Conditioning Foods and Powders — Exercise — Lending Horses — Horses in Camp — Transport — Swimming Horses .......... 27

Chapter V

Theory of Grooming the Skin — Hair — Exfoliation of Skin and Hair — Winter Care of Horse — ^Testing Proper Grooming — Grooming Requisites — Care of Legs — Clothing — Bedding — Sanitation in the Stable — Care of Feet — Foot Dressing — Clipping — When to Trim Horses — Banging and Thinning the Tail— Hogging — Regrowing Manes — Plaiting Manes and Tails — Mane and Tail Diseases and their Treatment — Causes of Rubbing Tails ......... 48

X CONTENTS

PAGE

Chapter VI

Draught: Theory and Practice — Whiffle Trees — Poles — Loads — Overloading — Driving — Whips — Reins — Hints on Tandem and Four-in-Hand Driving — Runaways — Notes on Treatment of Pullers — Teaching Horse to allow Rein to be placed under Tail — Types of Harmless Horses — Types of Vehicles — Anatomy of Shoulders — Collars — Sore Shoulders — Harness — Cruppers — Harnessingup — Harness Injuries — Bridles — Blinkers — Bits — Halters — Training Gear — Care of Harness . 63

Chapter VII

Anatomy of Horse's Back — Backs — Pressure — Saddling — Saddles — Fitting Saddlery — Saddle Blanket — Girths — Saddling-up — Sore Backs : Prevention and Cure — Cure of Galls — Seats — Hands — Treatment of Refusers — Spurs — On Ladies Riding Astride — Paces — Conformation of Saddle Horse — Curb Bits— Port — Curb Chains — Martingales — Cold Bits 76

Chapter VIII Stable Construction And The Circulatory System

Circulatory System — Respiratory System — Ventilators — Stable Impurities — Horse Urine — Light — Roof — Walls — Doors and Windows — Coach-houses — Drainage — Damp — Sanitation — Heating — Precautions against Fire — Improvements to Old Stables — Stalls and Boxes — Mangers — Water Troughs — The Loft— Tying up Horses— Slings 91

Chapter IX Surgical Diseases, Lameness, Teeth And Conformation

Lameness — Structure of Bone — Histology of Bone — Sprains — External Applications for Sprains — External Counter-irritants — Blistering — Firing — Massaging — Diet when Suffering from Sprains — Throwing a Horse for Operation — Detection of Lameness — Surgical Ailments : Sprains of Ligaments, Joints and Tendons, and their Symptoms and Treatment — Splint — Bone Spavin — Ringbone — Sidebone — Sore Shins — Navicular Disease — Quittor — Bog Spavin — Thoroughpin — Enlargements caused by Serous Effusion — Capped Hock — Capped Elbow — Contusions and Bruises — Brushing — Speedy Cut — Over-reach — Broken Knees — Open Joints — Fistulous Withers — Burns — Frost Bites — Snake Bites and Stings — Lightning and Electric Shocks — Fractures — Dislocations — Stable Vices — The Horse's Teeth — How to Examine Teeth — Table of Incisors — Age of Horses — Photographing Horses — Conformation of the Horse — Structural Examination — Colour — Natural Marks 100

Chapter X Pharmacopoeia And Uses Of Medicines

The Theory of Medicine — Notes on the Use of Drugs — Methods of Administering Drugs — Hypodermic Injections — Use of Trocar and Cannula — Passing the Catheter — Poultices — Dosage — Pharmacopoeia— Strength of Drugs — Useful Compounds to keep in Stock — Incompatability of Drugs — Poisons and their Antidotes — Apparatus Kept in a Veterinary Pharmacy — Use of Purgatives — Table of Weights and Measures — Glossary and Therapeutical Classification of Drugs . . . 123

CONTENTS xi

PACE

Chapter XI General Diseases : Organic, Functional And Contagious

Temperature, Pulse and Respiration — The Membrana Nictitans — Tracheotomy — Diseases of the Alimentary Canal — Liver, Spleen and Peritoneum — Heart — Blood Vessels — Blood — Eye — Skin — Respiratory Tract — Genital Organs — Notes on Parturition 141

Chapter XII Anatomy And Use Of The Horse's Tail

Anatomy of the Coccygeal Region — The Panniculus Carnosus — Flies — Mosquitoes — Spread of Disease by Flies— Other Uses of the Tail — Fly Nets — Fly Whisks — Fly Papers — Nicking Tails — Dividing Depressor Muscles — Straightening " Kinked " Tails ........ 161

Chapter XIII The Crime Of Docking Horses' Tails

The Use of the Tail — Operation of Docking — After-Eilects of Docking — Cruelty of Docking — Excuses for Docking — Cleanliness Excuse — Excuse that Docking Strengthens Hindquarters — Safety in Driving Excuse — Four Important Points — Smartness Excuse — Neatness Excuse — The Hackney — Prevention — Summary ............. 166

Chapter XIV Opinions Of Eminent Men, Books And The Press On Docking

Rarity of Docking in Russia — Cruelty of Docking — Docking Unnecessary — The Indecency of Docking

Mares — Defencelessness of a Docked Horse against Flies . . . . . . .178

Chapter XV Humane Education — The Law

The Law — The Law in other Countries — Decrepit Horse Traffic — The Penal Code of California — Legislation in Great Britain ............. 183

Chapter XVI On Anesthetics And Anesthesia — Humane Destruction

The Nervous System — Description of Nervous Tissue — History of Ansesthetics — Use of Anaesthetics — Choice of Ansesthetics — Use of Morphine — Anaesthetising Dogs — The Animal Ansesthetics Act — Local Anaesthetics — Local Anaesthesia by Freezing — Use of Ether Spray — Anaesthesia by Local Injections — Humane Destruction . . . . . . . . . . .188

Chapter XVII Bacteriology, Antiseptics And The Theory Of Disease

Theory and Prevention of Disease — Contagious Diseases — Bacteria — Methods of Admission into the System — How Pathogenic Microbes produce Disease — How the System fights against Microbes — b xil CONTENTS

FAQ I

Immunity from Disease — Bacterial Vaccines — Otlier Means of Destroying Disease Microbes — Antiseptics and how used — Aseptic Treatment of Wounds — Aseptic Surgery — Notes on the Prevention of Human Disease . . . . . . . . . . . .196

Chapter XVIII On Shoeing And Care Of The Feet

Structure of the Foot — Mechanism of the Foot — Principles of Shoeing — Rasping — Paring — Conformation of the Foot — Nails — Clips — Removing Shoes — Calkins — Tips — Feathering — Roughing — Common Faults in Shoeing — Pricks — Presses or Binds — Forge and Shoeing Tools — Faulty Feet — Diseases of the Hoof 211

Chapter XIX The Use And Abuse Of Bearing-reins

American Overhead Check-rein — Side Bearing-rein — Good Work of the London Anti-Bearing-rein Association— The Hame Rein — Mechanics of the Bearing-rein — Opinions of Experts and the Press on the Bearing-rein . . ... 221

LIST OF PLATES

' Galunule ".........,. Frontispiece

PLATE PAGE

2. The Arab in Art: "A Battle on the Desert," "A Halt in the Oasis" . 5

3. Napoleon and "Washington on their Chargers 8

4. The Arab : " Horses Frightened by Lightning," " Somo Sierra, 30th November, 1808" 9

6. Hunter, " Walnut." Coaching Stallion,

" Beaston Prince " . . . .13

8. Thoroughbred, " Sysonby." " An Arabian Outpost" 17

9. " Dan Patch," World's Record Pacer. "Lou Dillon," Trotter at Speed . . 20

10. Jackson and Lee on their Chargers.

" An Arab," by Schreyer ... 21

11. The Horse in Art: "The Meet," "The

Imperial Courier " .... 24

12. Hunter, " Partridge H." " Pretty Polly " 25

13. " Gallinule " and " Admiration," " Pretty Polly's " Parents 28

14. The Duke of Connaught in Sleigh. Standard-bred Stallion, " Stephen L." Thoroughbred, " Taslett " . . . .29

15. English Thoroughbreds : " Bend Or,"

" Spearmint " 32

16. Thoroughbred Horses : " Berrill," " Rightful " 33

17. Hunter Sire, " Spook." Hunter Mare,

" Gold Leaf " 36

18. Standard-bred Stallion, " Bird Peter." Arab Stallion, " Shahwan " . . .37

19. Standard-breds : " CecUian Jay," " Lord Bryson," " Joe Patchen," " Majestic." Thoroughbreds : " Joan of Arc," " Persimmon " . . . . . .40

PLATE PAOB

20. Thoroughbred Stallion, "Veronese."

Standard-bred StalUon, "The Moking" . 41

21. Polo Ponies : " Grey Light," " White Wings " 44

22. Thigh-straps for Blanket ; Keeping Mane Dressed ; Methods of Brushing the Mane and Tail ; Putting on Hayes' Bandages ; Yorkshire Boot ..... 45

23. The King at Marlborough House. Types

of Loincloths, Blankets and Sheets . 48

24. Curry Combs. Loincloth and Robe. Bandaging Tail 49

25. Thoroughbred, " Cicero." Trotting Mare,

" Bergamot." Patent Fy-net Attachment 52

26. Types of Tail-plaiting : Light Horses . 53

27. Types of Tail-plaiting : Heavy Horses and Hunters ...... 56

28. Types of Banged Tails : Duke of Con-

naught's Carriage and Four ... 57

29. Types of Banged Tails (i.e. Undocked) . 60

30. Types of Tail-plaiting : Heavy Horses . 61

31. Diagrams of Shoulder (Anatomy) ; Collars ; Halters ; Picketing .... 64

32. Diagrams of the Theory of Draught. . 64

33. Driving Bits. Methods of Holding Reins

for Single, Pair, Tandem or Four-in-hand 64

34. Types of Modern Tandem and Four-in-hand 64

35. Draught and Harness Illustrations . 66

36. Driving and Harnessing to the Vehicle . 67

37. A Modern Carriage and Pair . . 68

38. Types of Harness. Six-in-hand Driving. Pacing Mare, " Ruby R." ... 68

39. Types of Canadian Vehicles ... 68

40. U.S. President's Four-in-hand. World's

Ice Record Holder, " The Eel " . .68

41. American Trotters : " Peter the Great,"

" Ed. Winter " 70

42. Types of Harness, with Names of Parts . 71

XlV

LIST OF PLATES

43. The Horse in Action : Mr. Winan's " Bonny View," " Majestic "...

44. Trotting Horses : " Gipsy B.," " Princell,' " Lake Erie " . . . .

45. 46.

47. 48.

Canadian Carriages and Pairs Cleveland Bays : " Josephine," " Haw thorn Beauty " .

Types of Heavy Carriage Horses

Canadian-bred Carriage Horses. Hackney Stallion, " Peter Shales " . .

49. Commercial Horses, Canadian Bred

50. Types of Commercial Horses

51. London Van Horses ; Types of Tail plaiting .....

52. Canadian-bred Van Horses : Greys

53. Commercial Trap Horses

54. British Isle Ponies

55. Toronto Fire Brigade Horses

56. Toronto Fire Brigade Horses.

57. Types of Commercial Horses .

58. Equestrian Statue of " Caligula," showing the Natural Seat ....

59. Officers' Chargers ....

60. American Cavalry Horses

61. Sleigh and Pair. Polo Pony, "Maystar'

62. Modern Polo Ponies. " Energy " .

63. The Lady's Seat : Astride Saddle .

65. A Study in Horses by Mr. Harry Payne

66. The Lady's Seat : Side Saddle

67. Champion Hunters : " Forensic," " Bar ometer ".....

68. Champion Hunters : " Monarch," " Busby '

69. Anatomy of the Back and Limbs .

70. Diagrams Illustrating the Theory of Saddle Fitting

The Circulatory System. Bitting Dia grams ......

Riding Bits. Methods of Holding the Reins . .....

Swimming Horses. The Side

73. Jumping.

Saddle .

74. Types of Saddles and Saddle Horses

75. Tracks of Horses' Feet at Different Paces

76. Ladies' Hunters ....

77. Hunters, " Grey Man "

78. King George V. and his Favourite Charger The Outer Layer of Muscles of the Horse

79. Canadian-bred Army Horses .

FAQE 72

72 72

72 74

74 74

76 76 76 76 78 78 78

78 80 80 80 80 82 82 82 82

84 84 84

86 86 88 88 88

88 90

PLATE PAGE

80. Cavalry Horses 91

81. Champion Grey Perch erons ... 92

82. The External Regions of the Horse. . 93

83. Earl Harrington on Polo Pony. Grey Percherons ...... 94

84. Design for Modern Thirty-two-horse Stable 95

85. Design for an Outdoor Summer Stable for Permament Camps .... 96

86. Designs for Manger, Stalls, Wall and Stable Fittings 96

87. Designs for Ventilating Arrangements, Drainage and Ship Sling ... 96

88. Interior of a Modern Stable ... 96

89. Stables. Palace Horse Car . . . 98

90. Types of Canadian-bred Horses . . 99

91. Jumping a Stone Wall. A Good Type of Van Horse 100

92. English-bred Arabs . . . .101

93. Types of Arabs. I^ng Edward VII.'s

" Persimmon " 102

94. The English Coach Horse : " Rillington Sensation," " Woodland Briar " . . 103

95. Conformation of the Hock, Curbs, Spa\ins, Capped Hocks, Windgalls . . . 104

96. Conformation of the Cannon and Foot, Splint, Ring-bone and Sidebones . . 105

97. Conformation of the Limbs . . . 108

98. Conformation of the Fore-limbs and Back 109

99. Conformation of the Hock and Hind-limbs 112

100. Diagrams of the Correct Conformation of

the Horse. The Suspensory Ligament . 113

101. The Tendon and Ligaments of the Four Limbs 116

102. How to Tell the Age of a Horse by the Incisor Teeth 116

103. How to Tell the Age by the Angle of

Incidence. Cross-section through Molar Jaw 116

104. Flies and Fly-protection . . . 116

105. Hackneys : " King's Proctor," " Hopwood Clematis," " Roan's Queen." Shire,

" Midlands Squire " . . . . 160

106. The Anatomy of the Tail . .161

107. "How Would He Like It?" a Picture Parable by Philip R. Goodwin . . 164

108. Life Sketches, showing the Beauty of the Undocked Tail 164

109. The Art of the " Docking Advocate," with Suggestions ..... 164

110. Three Famous Hackneys : Docked and Undocked 164

LIST OF PLATES xy

PliATH

111. Examples of Docked and Undocked Horses .......

112. Champion Saddle Horse, " Korosko." Hackney, " Admirable Crichton " .

113. Hackneys : " Beckingham Lady Grace," " Lady Beckingham " .

114. The Folly of Tail-docking

115. Shire, " Rickford Coming King." Hackney, " Hawsker Rosina." Standard-bred, " Peter the Great "...

116. Some Beautiful Toronto Carriages and Pairs ......

117. Long Tails and Plaited Tails

Talke Wildfire "

The Length of the

Re-docking Four-in-hand and

Horses.

Major

118. " Docking" Points. '

119. Four-in-hand Driving.

Natural Dock

120. Four-in-hand Driving.

121. "The Rein Excuse."

Tandem

122. Mr. Walter Winan's Brooke's " Betty "

123. Percheron Stallion, " Frank J." Clydes dale Stallion, " Bonnie Buchlyvie "

124. Work of the S.P.C.A. .

125. Examples of Humane Education .

126. Champion Percherons : " Marquis "

127. Champion Suflolks : " Sudbourne Lassie, " Sudbourne Redcup " .

170 171

173 174

176 177

184 185 188 189

PLATB PAOB

128. Champion Suffolks : " Sudbourne Lord,"

" Sudbourne Beaumonde " . . . 193

130. Champion Clydesdale, " Royal Guest." Champion Percheron, " Thor " . . 197

131. World-Champion Clydesdale, " Baron O'Buchlyvie." Suffolk Punch, " Easton Duke " 200

132. Types of Heavy Draught Horses . . 201

133. Percheron-bred Horses .... 204

134. Heav'y Draught Horses .... 205

135. Suffolk Stallion, " Sudbourne Peter." Farming in Scotland .... 208

136. Heavy Draught Teams . . . .209

137. The Nerves of the Limbs. Jugular Vein. Submaxillary Artery. The Brain . . 212

138. Points of Injection for Hypodermic Needle. How to Shoot a Horse. Position of Jugular Vein. A Sound Foot. Winter Shoe. . 213

139. Diagrams of the Foot, Shoes and Nails . 216

140. Percheron, " Marjorie." The Unbeaten Clydesdale, " The Dunure " . 217

141. The Bearing-rein, Mechanics of . . 220

142. Bearing-reins. The Free Neck . . 221

143. The Hame Rein 224

144. Thoroughbred, " Wildfowler." King George V. and the Duke of Connaught Riding in Hyde Park . . . .225

Introduction

I HAVE read with a great deal of interest the proof sheets of " Modern Horse Management," which have been sent to me before printing.

I sincerely congratulate the author upon the perseverance and hard work which enabled him to compile this book. It must be a great source of pleasure for him to know that the book will be useful, not only to his brother officers, but also to all those who own or care for horses.

I am very proud indeed to see that an officer of my old regiment has established the fact that with study and persistent work one can acquire that knowledge in horsemanship and horsemastership that the author has shown himself to possess in

writing this book.

F. L. LESSARD,

Major-General, Commanding 2nd Division {late commanding Royal Canadian Dragoons). Toronto.

Chapter I Author's Introduction

In placing this book before the horse-loving

i-i;- T i„i,„ tv./^ i;v.nT-t-i7 nf Vinnine- that, t.hfi

ADDENDA

The Author regrets that the following errors occur in the text. The proofs of this book were corrected on Active Service under conditions not amenable to concentration of thought.

Conteats, page x, Ch. vd, line 3, jor "harmless" read " harioess."

Page II, Sec. 40, line 9, tor "limited" read " varied."

Page 16, column 2, line i, jor " oonifidence " read " obediience. ' '

Page 27, Sec. 99, line 14, jor " as a rule" read " often."

Page 27, Sec. 102, lines i and 4, jor " manger " read "ha3rrack."

Page 32, Sec. 122, line 4, for "roots" read "oats."

Page 41, Sec. 163, line 18, /or " teaspoonful " read " tablespooniul."

Page 73, Sec. 286, line 7, /or " beihind " read " below."

Page 75, Sec. 292, line 11, /or "' soaked " read " soaped."

Page 78, Sec. 303, line 20, /or " horse's " read " horse."

Page 87, Sec. 342, line 2, /or " pacers" read " paces."

Page 87, Sec. 345, line 24, /or " humerus " read " radius."

Page 107, iSec. 420, line 34, /or "sprain" read "strain."

Page 117, Sec. 471, line 31, /or " ist molar " read " ist permanent

molar."

Page 119, column i, line 14, a/Ur "action" inseri "desirable." Page 119, Sec. 476, 7th line from bottom, a/ter "should" inseri " not." Page 121, Sec. 487, line 5, /or "which are " read "when." Page 123, column 2, lines 18 and 20, /or "coal oil" read "kerosene

oil."

Page 137, column 2, line 17, /or "' gT." read " grain." Index, delete "Captive Animals," "Clipping Poodles," "Cropping

Ears." A/ter " Times " delete " 894."

average horseman fails is in not having perfect naiip.nr.fi and comnlete control over his own

g horses. I have dealt Dies of feeding and waterwing how absurd some of ;. I have purposely gone reasons, because unless tid such a thing should be be done.

3 gone into physiology for e discussed at some length liting, for which I have number of plaited tails, i VII. I have pointed out faults practised by horseich case practical reasons, ys from the horse's point table fact that so many i!.ngiisamen are sucn poor horsemen. The cause of this is our conceit, our unwillingness to learn. We ride more than any other nation ; but mere riding does not signify any knowledge of horsemanship. The exhibitions of bad riding and the large number of untrained horses in the hunting field are sufficient to prove this. I have laid down no theory that I have not proved to be correct with all classes and ages of horses. But where the

,0 my late riding-master,

gear, who, it must be

he British army in 1855,

moter of what is now the

try Tournament. He was

ised Baucher's system of

lis many good points, but

ly wrong ones. I am also

instructor, Sergt. -Major

ho was the British army

sports some six years ago.

3 of horses and vehicles.

I with anatomical diseases,

of organs, and in Chapter

e foot. These chapters

om my notes taken while

0 Veterinary College and

iuxuin,-j ijiix,^..^x.j ^nd while practising in

Western Canada. They have been made as

up to date as possible by studying the latest

veterinary journals. In most cases I give the

treatment that I have found to be the most

successful ; but, as I advise in these chapters,

it is dangerous for an amateur to play with a

sick horse or with drugs.

I feel that the condensed pharmacopoeia, giving the uses and doses of drugs, with tables

CHAPTER I

AUTHOR'S INTRODUCTION

1. In placing this book before the horse-loving public, I take the liberty of hoping that the horse, so long called the friend of man, will benefit. For more than five years I have been asked by many of my friends and others who have been good enough to read my articles in farm, horse and other periodicals, and who have attended my lectures on the horse, to publish a book. For a long time I hesitated to do this, though I had accumulated copious notes, both mentally and in writing, of the habits of the horse and the right and wrong ways of caring for him and teaching him.

It is from these notes that I have compiled many of my chapters. All through I have aimed at brevity ; particularly have I done so in Chapters IX., X. and XI.

I have at the last moment tried to bring everything as much up to date as possible, but, on account of my limited time, I feel that there is even yet much left out.

I have compiled Chapter II. from several histories, the classics and various articles. I am indebted to Mr. Basil Tozer (author of " The Horse in History") for much valuable information. Chapter III. has been compiled from notes taken while actually training horses during the past ten years. Most of the points brought out are purely common-sense ones, but, unfortunately for the horse, too many horsemen possess so little horse sense, and, what is more, they never take advice — never hear someone else's opinion and compare it with their own. A horseman is one who is always open to advice and who is always learning. It is a very regrettable fact that so many Englishmen are such poor horsemen. The cause of this is our conceit, our unwillingness to learn. We ride more than any other nation ; but mere riding does not signify any knowledge of horsemanship. The exhibitions of bad riding and the large number of untrained horses in the hunting field are sufficient to prove this. I have laid down no theory that I have not proved to be correct with all classes and ages of horses. But where the average horseman fails is in not having perfect patience and complete control over his own temper while handling horses. I have dealt with the correct principles of feeding and watering in Chapter IV., showing how absurd some of the old ideas really are. I have purposely gone into the physiological reasons, because unless one knows why such and such a thing should be done it often will not be done.

In Chapter V. I have gone into physiology for the same reason. I have discussed at some length the subject of tail plaiting, for which I have photographed a large number of plaited tails.

In Chapters VI. and VII. I have pointed out many of the common faults practised by horsemen to-day, giving in each case practical reasons, considering them always from the horse's point of view.

I owe very much to my late riding-master, Professor Alfred Savigear, who, it must be remembered, entered the British army in 1855, and was the prime promoter of what is now the Royal Naval and Military Tournament. He was one of those who revised Baucher's system of horse training, using his many good points, but eliminating his radically wrong ones. I am also indebted to my late instructor, Sergt. -Major Broadley (ist D.G.), who was the British army champion in mounted sports some six years ago. I show numerous types of horses and vehicles.

In Chapter IX. I deal with anatomical diseases, in Chapter XI. diseases of organs, and in Chapter XVIII. diseases of the foot. These chapters have been compiled from my notes taken while studying at the Ontario Veterinary College and Toronto University and while practising in Western Canada. They have been made as up to date as possible by studying the latest veterinary journals. In most cases I give the treatment that I have found to be the most successful ; but, as I advise in these chapters, it is dangerous for an amateur to play with a sick horse or with drugs.

I feel that the condensed pharmacopoeia, giving the uses and doses of drugs, with tables

[chap.

of antidotes and weights and measures, will be useful to many horse owners. Chapter X. is concluded with an extensive glossary of terms for the benefit of those who are not familiar with them. In Chapter XII. I have dealt in detail with the use of the horse's tail. I have considered the subject of flies and mosquitoes, listing the names of many of these pests. The chapter is concluded with notes on minor operations.

2. In Chapters XIII. and XIX. I have dealt in detail with the commonest forms of cruelty to animals. One might ask why it is necessary to write at such length on such a subject in such an enlightened age. The reasons, I think, are clearly set forth in Chapters XIII. and XIX. The fashion of docking horses is one that, thank God, is receiving much attention now. I commenced writing on this subject in the English and American Press nine years ago, at the time Prince Christian spoke so strongly.

The Times truly said not long since : " The long tail is now considered preferable." To any real lover of Nature I believe it always was ; but until a short while ago the cowardly "horsedoper" had it all his own way. Inexperienced owners purchased such horses because they knew no better. Now that horse shows are setting the example of humanity (except in the case of the Hackney, Shire and Clyde), we see a wonderful change. The modern horse show was inaugurated to encourage horsemanship and this it should really do, while steadily discountenancing all brutality.

In Canada and the States the type of delivery horse is rapidly improving, as shown in many of the plates, and is often much ahead of many of the English horses ; but the private carriage horse in Canada is far behind the times. We see few of the good type of carriage horse, of which examples are illustrated, and it has only been during the past few years that we have seen these better horses in New York.

The proprietors of "Reducine," in an excellent little pamphlet on the horse, show a striking picture of a "swell," with eyeglass, etc., driving a tightly checked horse, with tail stuck up like a hat-peg, in a high dog-cart. Below it are the words, "Which has the most brains?"