I lately faw in a stable-ride, what appeared to me to be a foreign horfe, aged and thoroughly managed. He was in the hands of two fellows, one of whom held him by a very fharp and powerful curb, fometimes forcing him. to stand still, at others permitting him to canter up and down, whilft the other whipped him continually with all his force under the flanks and fore-arms, and in all the tendereft parts of his body. To my astonishment, the generous animal, although darting fire from his eyes and noftrils, received all this cruel discipline without the smallest attempt at resistance, and even with a good natured refignation, which feemed the refult of inculcated duty. What would I have given at the instant to see the fcoundrels receive five-hundred a piece at the halbert, from the arms of able and willing operators.

The great length of time, which is full three years, before a horfe becomes perfectly managed, and the confequent large expence, muft neceffarily operate with effect against this fashion. There is, moreover, an objection proper to this country. I am affured by profeffors, that English horses are impatient under the discipline of the grand manège, indeed, infufceptible of being very highly dreffed. Not having yet degenerated, but partaking of that freedom of foul which once distinguished Englishmen,

Englishmen, they think foul fcorn of those unnatural fhackles at which feeling, instinct, and reafon revolt. Even the brute mind arms and revolts against tyranny, and horses, as well as men, are easiest governed by the plain and gentle methods of common sense and obvious use.

Every military gentleman, I must suppose, has perused with due attention, the excellent and truly practical treatise of my Lord Pembroke upon the breaking and management of horses for military service; there is also another book, lately published, intituled, "Rules and Regulations for the Cavalry, by order," &c. which I just mention, left it may have escaped the notice or the memory of those interested therein.

With respect to troop-horses, our heavy cavalry are much improved in lightness and activity within the laft half century; but a farther improvement in the fame line will moft probably take place. I have confulted many gentlemen who have feen fervice, both in the present and former wars, who, after making due allowance for the formidable weight of those heavy horfes, in the charge, ftill feem to incline upon the whole to acknowledge the fuperior utility of more active and speedy cattle. For my part, utterly inexperienced as I am, and as I hope ever fhall be in this bloody

business, I cannot fee how fuperior activity, and fuperior ability to carry weight, can poffibly be less formidable, in any respect, than mere bulk. But it may be fafely averred, that good well-shaped, half-bred horses, would beat the prefent race of heavy troop-horses, at twenty and five-and-twenty stone, by miles in an hour. They would also get through deep and difficult countries with much more expedition and ease to themselves, than heavy cart-bred cattle, whofe own weight and laborious method of progreffion, must be impediments increasing in proportion to the badness of the roads. It would not be poffible, at present, I well know, to find a fufficient number of that species of horses to which I allude, for the public service; but the case may be altered hereafter, when the heavy black locufts fhall have been fuperfeded by a lighter, more active, and more useful race.

VOL. I.

N

CHAP.

CHAP. VIII.

IN

ON THE ART OF SHOEING.

N treating this fubject, several authors have commenced, by giving broad hints, that in reality fhoes were not abfolutely neceffary to Horfes, and that under certain regulations, they might be dispensed with: that nature herself had made fufficient provifion for the defence of the foot, by furrounding it with a horny and callous fubftance: that horfes required no other defence, in their wild and natural state; and that, moreit had been immemorially the custom in fome countries, and these the most hard and flinty, to ride them without fhoes. These reafons are inconclufive even in fpeculation, but are blown away in a moment, by the mere breath of practice.

over,

There are no doubt men, as well as Horses, in some uncivilized countries, which are habituated to travel barefoot, and their foles become hardened in confequence; it is even practifed in fome of the remote and obfcure corners of our own ifland; but I fhould conceive it no where generally practicable, at least not with much convenience, except with those whose feet have a peculiar conflitutional hard

nefs.

nefs. All horfes feet, it is true, are sufficient in themselves, while running abroad in a natural ftate, and generally fuperabound in substance; but it must be confidered, in that fituation, they do not labour, nor bear any extraneous weight. In the conflant and severe labour performed by Horses in civilized countries, it has ever been experienced, that the growth even of hoofs the most luxuriant and obdurate, never equals the confumption occafioned by friction, and that with the generality of feet, all work is impracticable without an artificial defence.Hence the neceffity of iron fhoes. Several fhocking inftances have been reported of late years, of the feet of miferable horses having been totally worn off, and of the animals being obliged, in confequence, to be knocked on the head, from having loft their fhoes in running a stage in the mail-coach by night; and I have been told of fottish and beaftly fellows, who have brought a horse home in the night, with one of its fore feet worn to the bones, and its fides bathed in blood; the stupid wretches not having the sense or feeling to discover the accident, and their generous, and high-fpirited horfes, anfwering the fpur in that dreadful ftate of torture.

Of the ancient mode of fhoeing, little or nothing has been handed down; but it be may prefumed that the method at present in use