FIRING HORSES.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 406, 2 September 1876, Page 2

FIRING HORSES.

The following letter appeared in a recent issue of the London Timet:— “ The debate in the House of Lords on Lord Carnarvon’s bill for section has excited so much interest as to the humane treatment of animals that I may perhaps be excused for offering the following remarks :— “ Allusion was made in the course of the debate to the practice of firing horses, which it was stated, most truly, was a very painful operation, and it was also remarked that it wax never done unless under the influence of anaesthetics. One noble lord is reported to have said that doubt it was painful, but that it wadi necessary. Having had the superintending the Queen > -tables last sixteen years—in which generally 2m horses at work—l hesitation in saying that the oja firing is totally unnecessary, and the above period it never has been recourse to in the Royal “ I have no faith in the theory of the natural bandage formed by burning into and sometimes through the skin of a horse; and I believe that blisterings and rest produce exactly the same effect, without the torture, and without the unsightly blemish which firing generally leaves behind it. I also wish to state that, with Her Majesty’s entire sanction, the use of chloroform has been introduced into the Royal establishment for several years past, in painful operations. •. If the practice of firing horses is to be persisted in. it sliould be done under J ho' ■* influence of some anaesthetic. “ It is an exceedingly painful operation, and as the treatment is frequently applied to both four or both hind legs, and in some instances * all round// the anitual is under torture for a ta< ■ long time. —I remain, sir, H Maude, Crown Equerry , jt May 27/’ •