SNORTING.—is a cartilaginous propulsion of sound from the nostrils of a horse, which he avails himself of at different times, to signify sensations _seemingly_ opposite to each other. Upon being led from the light, through a gloomy passage, to a still more gloomy stable, he is frequently observed to SNORT either from fear or surprize; meeting or coming suddenly upon a new, strange or unnatural object, he snorts from absolute dread of injury; taken into a stable or out-house smelling musty, from foul dung and confined air, he snorts with dislike, and enters with reluctance: but snorting in the field at exercise, or in the CHASE with HOUNDS, may each be considered a proof of pleasurable gratification.
SOILING,—in the more confined signification, applies merely to the supplying a horse with grass, clover, tares, lucern, fain-foin, or rye, cut green, and brought to the stable for his daily consumption; but in a more general acceptation it extends to the act of turning him out in a plentiful pasture, and in the genial season, when and where he may enjoy all the advantages of which the frame is susceptible. It cannot but be known, that liberty, so dear to us, and to every part of the creation, must be equally so to the horse: to have his limbs free from restraint, to expand his frame, and roll upon the earth, to snort and snuff the ambient air, and to have his coat cleansed and purified by the dew of heaven, is to the horse a state of nature, and a life of luxury. Thus free and uncontrouled, although they are equally subject to, yet they are seldom known to be afflicted with pain or disease, in any degree equal to those who are confined within the limits of a small and offensive stable.
To constitute occasional revulsion, to correct acrimony in the blood, to purify the juices, to invigorate the frame, and reanimate the system, it is absolutely necessary the horse should have his annual run of _six weeks_ or two months in a luxuriant pasture, and at a proper season of the year, if either his frame or health is thought worthy protection. In the Metropolis, and in large towns, where the environs are entirely appropriated to HAY FARMERS and COW-KEEPERS, no such convenience can probably be obtained for any pecuniary consideration whatever; in which predicament the only alternative to be adopted, is to supply them with green food daily, and this is termed SOILING in the STABLE. Even this process, simple as it is, requires some previous precaution. The article with which the Metropolis, and other cities and large towns, are supplied, are mostly _tares_, (in some countries called _vetches_;) though _clover_ is at some-times, and in some places, to be procured; but whether one, or the other, it is absolutely necessary the supplies should be fresh, and, if possible, never more than thirty or six-and-thirty hours off the scythe; from which time (particularly if laid in a heap) they begin to heat exceedingly fast; and when once the juices are exhaled, become tough, turn black, and rapidly approach putrefaction.