The Horse

“WE believe it may be asserted, without fear of contradiction, that no book has yet been published, in the English or any other language, which even professes to give a complete description of the Natural History, Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology, and General Management of the Horse, in a form and style suited to the country gentleman of the nineteenth century. “ so begins the PREFACE to this comprehensive reference guide to the horse.

This is a “New Edition” published by Routledge, London, 1869. The fbook was first published in 1861.

CHAPTER I.

EARLY HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 

The Horse of Scripture—The Greek Horse—That of the Romans—The Arab 

of Antiquity—Egyptian, Libyan, Numidian, and Moorish Horses—The 

Original British Horse-—Ancient Methods of Using the Horse.

CHAPTER II. 

NATURAL HISTORY AND GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS. 

Synonyms and Classification in the Scale of Creation—Habits—External 

Form, as indicated by Points—Proportions— Period of Maturity— Average 

Age—Periodical Moulting—Mental Development—Small Stomach .

CHAPTER III. 

THE HORSES OF THE EAST. 

The Barb—the Egyptian Horse—The Horses of Dongola and Abyssinia— 

Other African Horses—The Modern Arab—The Persian Horse—The Turk- 

ish Horse—Other Asiatic Horses—The Australian Horse

CHAPTER IV. 

THE HORSES OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 

The South American Horse—The Mustang—The Indian Pony—The Cana- 

dian Horse—The Morgan Horse—The Amercian Trotter—The Narraganset 

Pacer—The American Thoroughbred—The Vermont Cart-horse—The Co-

Nestoga Draught-horse.

CHAPTER V. 

EUROPEAN CONTINENTAL HORSES.

Spanish and Portuguese Horses— The Italian Horse—The German Horse— 

The French Horse—The Flemish Horse—The Hanoverian Horse—The  

Russian Horse—The Norwegian and Swedish Horses 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE ENGLISH THOROUGHBRED HORSE. 

General History—The English Thoroughbred Horse of 1750—His Origin—

The Modern Thoroughbred—Increase of Size and Symmetry—Comparative 

Stoutness— Early Maturity —Object of Encouraging the Breed—Essentials 

in the Thoroughbred—Purity of Blood—External Formation—Height— 

Colour—Coat, Mane, and Tail—The Thoroughbred Hunter and Steeple- 

chaser

CHAPTER VII. 

HALF-BREDS, COBS, AND PONIES. 

The Half-bred Hunter—The Irish Hunter—The Charger—The Covert, Road, 

and Park Hack—The Ladies’ Horse—Cobs, Galloways, and Ponies—The 

Carriage, Brougham, or Cabriolet Horse—The Heavy Machiner—The Phae- 

ton Horse—The Gigster, or Fast Trotter

CHAPTER VIII. 

AGRICULTURAL AND DRAY HORSES. 

The Old English Black Cart-horse—The Suffolk Cart-horse—The improved 

Lincolnshire Dray-horse—The Clydesdale Horse—Other mixed Breeds.

CHAPTER IX. 

ON THE LOCOMOTIVE ACTION IN THE VARIOUS PACES. 

Natural and Acquired Paces—Distribution of Weight—Attitude assumed in 

Standing—Mode of Progression—The Walk—Trot—Canter—Hand-gallop 

—Extended Gallop—The Amble—Racking, Pacing, and Running—The 

Paces of the Manege—Leaping

CHAPTER X. 

THE PRINCIPLES OF BREEDING APPLICABLE TO THE HORSE.

Theory of Generation—In-and-in Breeding—Crossing : Advantages and Dis- 

advantages attending on each Plan—Causes of a “ Hit”—Importance of 

Heaith or Soundness in both Sire and Dam—Best Age to Breed from— 

Time of Year best suited to each Variety of the Horse—Influence of Sire 

and Dam respectively—Choice of Sire and Dam—Selection of Blood in each 

Class—The kind of Horse most likely to be Profitable to the Breeder — 

Concluding Remarks on Breeding

CHAPTER XI. 

THE BROOD MARE AND HER FOAL. 

The Hovel and Paddock—General Management of the Brood Mare—Treat- 

ment when in Foal—After Foaling—Early Management of the Foal—

Weaning—Castration 

CHAPTER XII. 

THE BREAKING OF THE COLT. 

Mr. Rarey’s Principles and Practice—Ordinary Method of Breaking for the 

Saddle—Superiority of the Latter, when properly carried out-—Breaking 

to Harness—Dr. Bunting’s Break

CHAPTER XIII. 

STABLES. 

Situation and Aspect—Foundations—Superficial Area and Height required 

—Stalls versus Loose Boxes—Hay Chamber and Granary—Best Materials 

for Walls, Floors, Doors, and Windows—Drainage and Water Supply— 

Ventilation and Lighting—Fittings—Harness Room—Coach-house—Ser- 

vants’ Rooms—Plans of Stables—Necessity for airing New Stables . 

CHAPTER XIV. 

STABLE MANAGEMENT. 

The Coachman, Groom, and Helper—Stable Implements, Clothing, &c.— 

Food and Water—Theory and Practice of Feeding—Bedding—Dressing or 

Grooming—Clipping, Singeing, and Trimming—Use and Application of 

Bandages—Management of the Feet—Exercise

CHAPTER XV. 

STABLE MANAGEMENT, CONTINUED. 

Recapitulation of Daily Duties—Proper Temperature—Remedies for Stable 

Vices and Bad Habits—Preparation for Work—Ordinary Sweating—The 

Turkish Bath—Physic—Final Preparation—Treatment after Work—Sum- 

mering—A Winter's Run — The Straw-yard — Care of Saddlery and 

Harness

CHAPTER XVI. 

RIDING AND DRIVING. 

Saddles—Bridles—Mounting and Dismounting—The Seat—Management of 

the Reins—Use of Spurs—Modes of Starting the Horse into his various 

Paces—Riding to Hounds—Out-door Vices and Bad Habits—Harness— 

Driving a Single Horse—A Pair—Four-in-Hand

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