THE
HANDY HORSE-BOOK

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

“Most certainly the above title is no misnomer, for the ‘Handy Horse-Book’ is a manual of driving, riding, and the general care and management of horses, evidently the work of no unskilled hand.”—Bell’s Life.

“As cavalry officer, hunting horseman, coach proprietor, whip, and steeplechase rider, the author has had long and various experience in the management of horses, and he now gives us the cream of his information in a little volume, which will be to horse-keepers and horse-buyers all that the ‘Handy Book on Property Law,’ by Lord St Leonards, has for years past been to men of business. It does not profess to teach the horse-keeper everything that concerns the beast that is one of the most delicate as well as the noblest of animals; but it supplies him with a number of valuable facts, and puts him in possession of leading principles.”—Athenæum.

“The writer shows a thorough knowledge of his subject, and he fully carries out the object for which he professes to have undertaken his task—namely, to render horse-proprietors independent of the dictations of ignorant farriers and grooms.”—Observer.

“We need only say that the work is essentially a multum in parvo, and that a book more practically useful, or that was more required, could not have possibly been written.”—Irish Times.

“He propounds no theories, but embodies in simple and untechnical language what he has learned practically; and a perusal of the volume will at once testify that he is fully qualified for the task; and so skilfully is the matter condensed that there is scarcely a single sentence which does not convey sound and valuable information.”—Sporting Gazette.

“We can cordially recommend it as a book especially suited to the general public, and not beneath the attention of ‘practical men.’”—The Globe.

“Contains a very great modicum of information in an exceedingly small space.... There can be little doubt that it will, when generally known, become the established vade mecum of the fox-hunter, the country squire, and the trainer.”—Army and Navy Gazette.

“A useful little work.... In the first part he gives just the amount of information that will enable a man to work his horse comfortably, check his groom, and generally know what he is about when riding, driving, or choosing gear.”—Spectator.

“This is a book to be read and re-read by all who take an interest in the noble animal, as it contains a most comprehensive view of everything appertaining to horse-flesh; and is, moreover, as fit for the library and drawing-room as it is for the mess-table or the harness-room.”—Sporting Magazine.

“By all means buy the book; it will repay the outlay.”—Land and Water.

DRAWING COVER

THE
HANDY HORSE-BOOK
OR
PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONS IN DRIVING, RIDING,
AND THE GENERAL CARE AND
MANAGEMENT OF HORSES

BY
A CAVALRY OFFICER

FOURTH EDITION, REVISED AND ENLARGED

With Engravings

WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS
EDINBURGH AND LONDON
MDCCCLXVIII

The Right of Translation is reserved

TO
MAJOR-GENERAL LORD GEORGE PAGET, C.B.

Inspector-General of Cavalry,

SON OF THE DISTINGUISHED HORSEMAN AND HERO WHO COMMANDED THE CAVALRY AT WATERLOO, AND HIMSELF A LEADER AMONG THE “IMMORTAL SIX HUNDRED,”

THIS BOOK IS BY PERMISSION INSCRIBED,

IN TRIBUTE TO HIS SOLDIERLY QUALITIES, AND TO HIS CONSIDERATION FOR THE NOBLE ANIMAL WHICH HAS CARRIED THE BRITISH CAVALRY THROUGH SO MANY DANGERS TO SO MANY TRIUMPHS,

BY HIS LORDSHIP’S OBEDIENT SERVANT,

“MAGENTA.”

PREFACE.

Finding myself a standing reference among my friends and acquaintance on matters relating to horse-flesh, and being constantly in the habit of giving them advice verbally and by letter, I have been induced to comply with repeated suggestions to commit my knowledge to paper, in the shape of a Treatise or Manual.

When I say that my experience has been practically tested on the road, in the field, on the turf (having been formerly a steeplechase rider, as well as now a hunting horseman), with the ribbons, and in a cavalry regiment, I must consider that, with an ardent taste for everything belonging to horses thus nourished for years, I must either have sadly neglected my opportunities, or have picked up some knowledge of the use and treatment of the animal in question.[1]

Born and bred, I may say, in constant familiarity with a racing-stable, and having been always devotedly attached to horses, the wrongs of those noble animals have been prominently before my eyes, and I have felt an anxious desire to see justice done to them, which, I am sorry to say, according to my observation, is but too seldom the case; indeed, I have often marvelled at the tractability of those powerful creatures under the most perverted treatment by their riders and drivers.

My object, therefore, in offering the following remarks, is not to trench upon the sphere of the professional veterinary surgeon or riding-master, but to render horse-proprietors independent of the dictation of ignorant farriers and grooms. Intending this little work merely as a useful manual, I have purposely avoided technicalities, as belonging exclusively to the professional man, and endeavoured to present my dissertations on disease in the most comprehensive terms possible, proposing only simple remedies as far as they go; though, for the satisfaction of my readers, I may mention that, as an amateur, I have myself devoted much time and thought to the study of anatomy, and that any treatment of disease herein recommended has been carefully perused and approved by a veterinary surgeon. Theories are excluded, and I confine myself simply to practical rules founded on my own experience.

Hints and remarks are here offered to the general public, which, to practical men, will appear trifling and unnecessary; but keen and extended observation, carried on as opportunity offered, amongst all classes and in many countries and climates, has given me an insight into the want of reasoning exhibited by men of every station in dealing with the noble and willing inmates of the stable, and has assisted in suggesting the necessity for just such A B C instructions as are herein presented by the Public’s very humble servant,

“MAGENTA.”[2]

PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION.

Increased attention having been directed to the necessity for greater vigilance with regard to the breeding and production of good and useful horses, many readers have expressed a wish that I would give some decided views on these subjects; and concurring with them as to the exigency of the case, I have ventured, in an additional chapter in this new and Third Edition, to make a few remarks, which, although doubtless patent to practical men, are naturally looked for by the public in this Manual, which has been so favourably received.

“MAGENTA.”

PREFACE TO FOURTH EDITION.

The Third Edition of this little work, published so recently as April last, being already out of print, the Author, in presenting a new one, feels called upon gratefully to acknowledge this unusual mark of favour on the part of the public.

London, November 1867.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
[PART I.]
BREEDING,[1]
SELECTING,[2]
BUYING,[6]
STABLING,[8]
GROOMING,[12]
HALTERING,[16]
CLOTHING,[18]
FEEDING,[20]
WATERING,[25]
GRAZING,[26]
TRAINING,[28]
EXERCISING,[31]
WORK,[33]
BRIDLING,[38]
SADDLING,[43]
RIDING,[49]
HARNESSING,[56]
DRIVING,[65]
DRAWING,[72]
SHOEING,[75]
VICE,[84]
SELLING,[89]
CAPRICE,[90]
IRISH HUNTERS, AND THE BREEDING OF GOOD HORSES,[93]
[PART II.]
DISEASES,[101]
OPERATIONS,[102]
TO GIVE A BALL,[104]
TO GIVE A DRENCH,[105]
PURGING,[106]
THE PULSE,[109]
DISEASES OF THE HEAD AND RESPIRATORY ORGANS,[109]
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE AND URINARY ORGANS,[120]
DISEASES OF THE FEET AND LEGS,[127]
LOTIONS, PURGES, BLISTERS, ETC.,[158]
INDEX,[164]

LIST OF PLATES.

DRAWING COVER,[frontispiece.]
THE HACK,page[4]
THE WEIGHT-CARRYING HUNTER,”[6]
RIDING AT IT,”[53]
THE PROPER FORM,”[95]
PREPARATORY CANTER,”[99]

THE
HANDY HORSE-BOOK.