Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-03-28
TILE HORSE,

THE HORSE.
WE take the following extracts from Hon.
ZADocK PRATT's lecture delivered before the
New York Mechanics Institute.
"MR. PREsrDENr.-In accepting your
invitation to address you this evening, l
have selected, as the subject of my remarks,
that noble animal, THE HORSE.
1t is often said, that as woman holds the
first place in the affections of man, the horse
the second; and so justly is his estimation
bestowed, that beautiful woman, so far from
resentng this rivalry, joins with man in al.
lowing the horse high rank in her own
esteem.
We cannot wonder at this, when we re-
member the immense amount of benefit
which has been derived from this valuable
animal. 4 glance at history assures us that
Improvement in the breed of horses has kept
even pace with the march of civilization;
and until the various qualities of the horse
were made available for the wants Of man,
but little progress was made. in the elevation
of barbarous tribes to the Importance OF
civilized nations.
If the horse has then exercised such an
influence upon mankind in general, he is
certainly worthy of your attention this even.
ing; and | have the additional assurance of
interest, in the fact that he has never before
been made the subject Of lecture, to my
knowledge.
In the course of long and active life,
which has now extended over the space OF
three score years allotted to man, have
worn out more than thousand horses in
my service, and strong love for the subject
has induced me to give it more than ordinary
attention. My remarks therefore, will prin-
cipally be the result Of my own experience
and observation, with the exception Of
few general remarks relating to the origin
and characteristics Of the horse, to which |
will first invite your attention.
The horse family is distinguished from all
other animals by having an undivided hoof,
simple stomach, and from the position Of
the teats of the female.
1t is divided into two classes: the com.
mon horse, with its varieties Of work horse,
carriage, hunter, and race horse; all Of which
have important peculiarities, which | shall
mention; and that class, the type of which
is the common ackass, and which includes
the quagga and zebra, not found in this
country, and, may say, not wanted either.
Many conflicting opinions have been held,
as to the country in which this valuable ami
NAL originated, and two now have many
adherents, all others having been given up.
These two are Arabia and Egypt. For my
own part, am inclined to think that Egypt
is undoubtedly entitled to the palm, and all
investigation only confirms me in the belief.
Without taking up your time with the argu'
ments OH either side, will only say that the
Sacred Scriptures, in describing the early
stages of the world, mention the horse as
being used in EgyRtawhe, in much more
modern times, when Mahomet fought his
battles in Arabia, there was not a single
horse in the camp, proving their extreme
scarcity, if not their total absence, in the
country.
The horse is undoubtedly the most useful
and manageable Of all animals known to
man. In gracefulness of carriage, dignity
of motion, and in obedience to the will of
his master, he is superior 10 every other
quadruped Lively, and full Of high spirits.
he is yet gentle and tractable. Keen and
ardent, he is more firm and perseverng than
any other animal, and all these qualities es.
pccially fit him for the purposes to which
man has applied him. He works patiently
and steadily at the plough, or in drawing
the loaded carriage; he deports himself with
pride while whrling along the light pleasure
vehicle, or jingling the merry bells of the
quick moving sleigh. He sometimes dances
with delight as he prances along with his
martial rider on his back, and he enters upon
the race with as keen zesl as his owner,
seeming to exut in success, or, with down
cast head, to experience shame in defeat.
Whilst minsteriug to SO many multiplied
wants of man during life, his remains are
applied to many important branches ofmanu.
tacture, and, though civilized nations make
no use of his flesh, it is an important item
in the food Of many barbarian tribes, where
it is considered delcacy, and a spirituous
liquor is made from the milk Of the mare,
which is as eagerly sought after, as is the in
toxicating wine by us. And now let me
give you my idea of good horse.
He should be about fifteen and half
hands high the head light, and clean made;
wide between the nostrils, and the nostrlls
themselves large, transparent, and open; !;
broad in the forehead eyes prominent, clear,
and sparkling; cars, small, md neatly set
on; neck, rather short. and well set up !;
large arm or shoulder well thrown back and
hgh withers, arched and high; legs, fine,
flat, thin, and small boncd body, round,
and rather light, though sufficiently large to
afford substance when it is needed; full
chest, alFording ample play for the lungs;
back, short, with the hind quarters set on
rather obiquely, Any one possessing a a
horse of this make and appearance and
weighing eleven or twelve hundred pounds,
may rest assured that they have horse OF
all worth, and bargain which is we'll worth
getting hold Of"
Mr. PRATT then calls the attention of his
hearers to the " "different varieties of horses
in foreign countries, and in our own" which
we are compelled, from want of space, to