Animal Rights History »» Thomas Young

An Essay on Humanity to Animals, "Cruelty to Horses"

Chapter V

On Cruelty to Horses.

IF any one ask what induced me to allot a particular chapter to the Horse ; I answer, his services, his noble qualities, and his injuries. Of his services, they for whom principally this chapter is intended, are the best qualified to give an account, but that it never enters into their minds to reflect upon them : they would perceive them more clearly, and estimate their value more justly, if they could for a while be deprived of them. Let is suffice to say, that in the country, in which agriculture, manufactures and commerce and [99] carried to so wonderful an height, in this country of industry and luxury, the horse, with little exception, ploughs all, draws all, bears all. He, of all animals, contributes the most to the profit and pleasure of his master : whether the intent be business or pleasure, he bears him upon his back, or draws him in the carriage. If trained to assist in war, he gives by his superior strength and spirit, a superiority to the cavalry of his native country over that of every other. He is proud in the pride, and glories of glory, of his master : he feels his honour and his shame. In form and in motion he is, next to man, the most beautiful [100] of creatures. In swiftness he has been known literally to outstrip the wind.^* The most spirited, yet the most tractable and docile of quadrupeds, he possesses more than the courage, without any of the ferocity, of the lion.

But no description of the horse can come near, in point of sublimity, to this in the book of Job.^†

"Hast thou given the horse strength ? Hast thou cloathed his neck with thunder ? Can'st thou make him afraid as a grasshopper ? [101] The glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength : he goeth on to meet the armed men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted ; neither turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage : neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, ha ! ha ! and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting"

After contemplating his services and his noble qualities, his injuries [102] will appear greater and of a blacker die. But the most frequent of these, which also in their sum total, though not individually, are the greatest, cannot be described here. I might indeed say, that he is frequently overlaboured and overloaded, pushed to exertions beyond his power, and harassed without the plea of necessity. But every one will immediately perceive how cold a representation, thus general, would be. Description, if it wishes to touch the heart, must descend to particulars ; and the nature of this essay permits not that I detail the particulars of the cruelties here referred to. I must therefore desire my readers to exercise their [103] recollection, and many of them will readily supply what is of necessity omitted here.

There have been instances in this country, within these few years, of men being brought to trial for tearing, or cutting, out the tongues of horses. Although the evidence was clear and decisive as to the facts, the Jury were induced to pronounce a verdict of Not Guilty ; because it appeared, that however savage and inhuman the conduct of the prisoners had been, unless it could be proved to have proceeded from motives of malice and personal revenge against the owners of the horses, they could [104] not legally be found guilty under the statutes on which they had been indicted. In such cases surely the law labours under some imperfection, which may deserve the notice of those who are able to apply a remedy.

It is thought that the relation of any enormous cruelty has a tendency to check cruelty in general, inasmuch as it shocks the mind, and excites in it a sentiment of abhorrence. Under this idea I lay before the reader, as it is inimitably told in the Adventurer, the following fact :

"It is true, replied the steed, I was a favourite ; but what avails it [105] to be the favourite of caprice avarice, and barbarity ? My tyrant was a wrench, who had gained a considerable fortune by play, particularly by racing. I had won him many large sums ; but being at length expected out of every match, as having no equal, he regarded even my excellence with malignity, when it was no longer subservient to his interest. Yet I still lived in ease and plenty ; and as he was able to sell even my pleasures, though my labour was become useless, I had a seraglio in which there was perpetual succession of new beauties. At last, however, another competitor appeared : I enjoyed a new triumph [106] by anticipation ; I rushed into the field, panting for the conquest ; and the first heat I put my master in possession of all the stakes, which amounted to ten thousand pounds. The proprietor of the mare that I had distanced, notwithstanding this disgrace, declared with great zeal, that she should run the next day against any gelding in the world for double the sum : my master immediately accepted the challenge, and told him that he would the next day produce a gelding that should beat here : but what was my astonishment and indignation, when I discovered that he most cruelly and fraudulently intended to qualify me for this match, upon [107] the spot, and to sacrifice my life at the very moment in which every never should be strained in his service !

"As I knew it would be in vain to resist, I suffered myself to be bound : the operation was performed, and I was instantly mounted and spurred on the goal. Injured as I was, the love of glory was still superior to the desire of revenge : I determined to die, as I had lived, without and equal ; and having again won the race, I sunk down at the post in an agony, which soon after put and end to my life."

A great deal of cruelty, I beleive [108] takes place in the curses of horses, as at present pactised ; but it would require knowledge of farriery to speak with any precision upon the subject. I am happy to hear that a gentleman of great skill in that art, and of great humanity, is about to point out both the abuse and its remedy.^*

There is another piece of cruelty to horses, namely the ordering them out of the stable before they are [109] actually wanted, and letting them stand in the sun to be tormented by flies, which is not beneath our notice ; and might, by a very small deduction from our pride, or addition to our regard for the happiness of animals, be prevented almost intirely.

Having already condemned hunting as an amusement, it is almost unnecessary to observe that I condemn all excessive riding in pursuit of the game : every injury which the horse receives in the chace is to be laid to the charge of this sport, and makes an addition to its guilt.

Concerning the fashionable cruelty [110] of cutting the tails and ears of horses, I shall content myself with quoting the arguments of Mr. Gilpin.

"On this subject I cannot forbear digressing a little (and I hope the reader will not be too fastidious) on the great indignity the horse suffers from the mutilation of his tail and ears. Within this century, I believe, the barbarous custom of docking horses came in use ; and hath passed through various modifications, like all other customs which are not founded in nature and truth. A few years ago the short dock was the only tail (if it may be called such) in fashion, both in the army and in carriages. The [111] absurdity however of this total amputation began to appear. The gentlemen of the army led the way. They acknowledged the beauty and use of the tail, as nature made it. The short dock every where disappeared, and all dragoon-horses now parade with long tails.

The nag-tail however is still continued in use. Of this there are several species, all more or less mutilated. The most unnatural is the nicked-tail; so named for the cruel operation used in forming it. The under sinews of the dock being divided, the tail starts upwards, directly contrary to the position which nature [112] intended. The nag-tail is still seen in all genteel carriages. Nor will any person of fashion ride a horse without one. Even the gentlemen of the army, who have shewn the most sense in the affair of horse-tails, have been so misled as to introduce the nag-tail into the light-dragoons ; though it would be difficult to give a reason now for the nag-tail as formerly for the short dock.

Two things are urged in defence of this cruel mutilation—the utility and the beauty of it. Let us briefly as possible examine both. To make an animal useful is no doubt the first consideration : and to make a horse [113] so, we must necessarily make him suffer some things which are unnatural, because we take him out of a state of nature. He must be fed with hay and corn in winter, which he cannot get in open pastures : for if he have exercise beyond nature, he must have such food as will enable him to bear it. As it is necessary, likewise, to make our roads hard and durable, it is necessary also to give the horse an iron hoof, that he may travel over them without injuring his feet. But all this has nothing to do with his tail, which is equally useful in a reclaimed, and in a natural state.

Yes, says the advocate for docking ; [114] as it is necessary for the horse to travel, to hunt, and to race, it is useful to lighten him of every incumbrance. And as it is necessary for him to travel through dirty roads, it is useful to rid him of an instrument which is continually collecting dirt, and lashing it over himself and his rider.

To ease your horse of every incumbrance in travelling, is certainly right. You should see that his bridle and saddle (which are his great incumbrances) are as easy as possible : and that the weight he carries, or draws, be proportioned to his strength. But depend upon it he receives no [115] incumbrance from nature. It is a maxim among all true philosophers that nature has given nothing in vain : and there can be no reasonable doubt, but that nature has given the horse his tail to balance and assist his motions. That this is the case seems plain from the use he makes of it. When the animal is a rest, his tail is pendent ; but when he is in violent action, he raises and spreads it, as a bird does in the same situation. Would the swallow, or the dove, be assisted in their flight by the loss of their tails ? or the greyhound in his speed, by docking him ? For myself, I have no doubt, but it the experiment were tried at Newmarket, [116] which I suppose it never was, the horse with his long tail, however the literati there might laugh at him, would not in the least be injured in his speed ; and might answer better in all his sudden turns to the intention of the rider . Besides, his tail probably assists him even in his common exertions ; and balances his body when he trots, and prevents his stumbling. I heard a gentleman, who had travelled much in the East, remark that the Turkish and Arabian horses rarely stumble ; which he attributed, and with some appearance of truth, to their long tails.

But whatever use the tail may be [117] of to the horse in action, it is acknowledged on all hands to be of infinite use to him at rest. Whoever sees the horse grazing in summer, and observes the constant use he makes of his long tail in lashing the files from his sides, must be persuaded that it is a most useful instrument : and must be hurt to see him fidget a short dock back and forward, with ineffectual attempts to rid himself of some plague which he cannot reach.

As to the objection against the tail, as an instrument which is continually gathering dirt, and lashing it around, if there be any truth in what I have already observed, this little objection [118] dissolves itself ; especially as the inconvenience may with great ease be remedies, when the road is dirty, either by knotting up the tail, or by tying it with a leather strap.

But whatever becomes of utility, the horse is certainly more beautiful, we are told, without his tail. What a handsome figure he makes when he carries both his ends well ! This is the constant language of horse-dealers, stable-keepers, and grooms ; and such language, thought originating in tasteless ignorance and mere prejudice, has drawn over men of sense and understanding. It is inconceivable how delusively the eye sees, as well as the understanding, when it is fascinated [119] and led aside by fashion and custom. Associated ideas of various kinds give truth a different air. When we see a game-cock with all his sprightly actions and gorgeous plumes about him, we acknowledge him one of the most beautiful birds in nature. But when we see him armed with steel, and prepared for battle, we cry what a scare-crow ! But a cock-fighter, with all the ideas of the pit about him, conceives him in this latter state in his greatest beauty : and if his picture be drawn, he must be drawn in this ridiculous manner. I have often seen it.

Let jockies, and stable-boys, and cock-fighters, keep their own absurd [120] ideas : but let not men who pretend to see and think for themselves, adopt such ridiculous conceits. In arts, we judge by the rules or art. In nature, we have no criterion but the forms of nature. We criticize a building by the rules of architecture ; but in judging of a tree or a mountain, we judge by the most beautiful forms of each, which nature hath given us. It is thus in other things. From nature alone we have the form of a horse . Should we then seek for beauty in that object in our own wild conceptions ; or recur to the great original from whence we had it ? We may be assured that nature's forms are always the most beautiful : and therefore we should endeavour to correct our ideas by her's.

[121] The same absurd notions which have led men to cut off the tails of horses, have led them also to cut off their ears. I speak not of low grooms and jockies ; we have lately seen the studs of men of the first fashion, misled probably by grooms and jockies, producing only cropt horses.

When a fine horse has wide, lapping ears, as he sometimes has, without spring or motion in them, a man may be tempted to remove the deformity. But to cut a pair of fine ears out to the head of a horse, is, if possible, a still greater absurdity than to cut off his tail. Nothing can be alledged in its defence. The ear neither retards motion, nor slings dirt.

[122]Much of the same ground may be gone over on this subject, which we went over on the last. With regard to the utility of the ear, it is not improbable that cropping it, may injure the horse's hearing : there is certainly less concave surface to receive the vibrations of the air. I have heard it also asserted with great confidence, that this mutilation injures his health : for when a horse has lost that penthouse which nature has given him over his ear, it is reasonable to believe that wind and rain may get in, and give him cold. Hail, I have been told, is particularly injurious to him.

But if these injuries are not easily [123] proved, the injury he receives in point of beauty may strenuously be insisted on. Few of the minuter parts of the animal nature are more beautiful than the ear of a horse, when it is neatly formed, and well set on. The contrast of the lines is pleasing ; the concavity and the convexity being generally seen together in the natural turn of the ear. Nor is the proportion of the ear less pleasing. It is contracted at the insertion, swells in the middle, and taper to a point. It receives great beauty also from its colour, as well as form. The ears of bay and grey horses are generally tipped with black, which melts into the colour of the head. But the ear[124] of the horse receives its greatest beauty from notion. The ear of no animal has that vibrating power. The ears of a spirited horse are continually in motion ; quivering, and darting their sharp points towards any object that presents : and the action is still more beautiful when the ears are so well set on, hat the points are drawn nearly together.

But it is not only the quivering motion of the horse's ears that we admire ; we admire them also as the interpreters of his passions ; particularly of fear, which some denominate courage, and of anger or malice. The former he expresses by darting them [125] forward ; the latter by laying them back.

This digression has carried me much farther than I intended ; but the mutilation of the tail and ears of this noble animals is so offensive to reason and common-sense, that I have been imperceptibly led on by my indignation. Though nothing I can say upon the subject, I am well persuaded, can weigh against the authority of grooms and jockies, so as to make a general reform ; yet if, here and there, a small party could be raised in opposition to this strange custom, it might in time perhaps obtain fashion on its side."^* [126] As it is not designed that this essay should include all cruelties to brutes, (if that were possible ;) but only so many as might seen to have a chance of superinducing a habit of thinking and feeling on these subjects, I must entreat my readers to extend some portion of their humanity to an humble kinsman of the horse, whose inheritance its blows and stripes, and in which mankind make a custom of mocking the misery they themselves occasion. It is easy to perceive that I allude to the ass.^*

Thomas Young, An Essay on Humanity to Animals (London, 1798; Online Edition: Animal Rights History, 2003).

Footnotes

p100-^* Vide Pennant—Article, Horse. ^[100-1*back]

p100-^† Ch. XXXIX. v. 19. ^[100-2*back]

p108-^* Since this was written, the first volume of the work alluded to has been published, but I have not seen it. The title is, A Philosophical and Practical Treatise on Horses, and on the moral duties of man towards the brute creation. By John Lawrence. ^[108-1*back]

p125-^* Remarks on Forest Scenery. ^[125-1*back]

p126-^* There are some passages in Sterne favourable to this animal : and in Coleridge's poems are some lines to a young ass, so fine that it is a pity they should have been disgraced by a line or two at the end, which were dictated by the spirit, not of poetry, but of party.—N.B. Since the above Note was written, a second edition of Mr. C.'s Poems has been published, in which the offensive lines are omitted ^[126-1*back]