Bar, Gudrun

Uber kosmetische Massnahmen am Pferd . . . vom 16. bis 20. Jahrhundert [On "Beautifying" Horses from the 16th to 20th Centuries]

Hannover, Germany: Unpublished Doctor of Veterinary Medicine dissertation, Tierarztliche Hochschule Hannover, 1974. First edition. Unbound sheets. 191p reproduced two to a page, several line ills. from contemporary sources. Duplicated typescript. In German, with a short English abstract. Very good. Item #32502

On various techniques over the centuries for altering a horse's appearance--docking or nicking the tail, cropping or setting up the ears, replacing missing eyes, dyeing coats, trimming body hair, and enhancing tails and manes. The author argues that these practices were carried out both to deceive and to follow fashions of the day rather than to promote the horse's well being. Emphasis on German-speaking cultures. With summaries of how various contemporary veterinarians and horsemen viewed this "beautification." Interesting treatment of an overlooked historical subject ,which you need good German to read.

Price: $50.00