286 HABITS OF THE HORSE. 



things that are true ; but I would not have believed 

 this, if you had not seen it yourself." 



From Sullivan, and his wonderful powers, the con- 

 versation turned upon the sagacity of horses. In a 

 wild state they live in troops, and when hunted by 

 the Tartars, set watches to prevent being surprised, 

 and have commanders, who direct and hasten their 

 flight. In this country, in a domesticated state, when 

 several horses travel in a line, the first always points 

 his ears forward, and the last points his backward ; 

 whilst the intermediate ones appear to be quite care- 

 less in this respect, as if they trusted to the vigilance 

 of their companions at each end of the line, to listen to 

 any sound of danger, either behind or before. Is this 

 instinct, or a preconcerted measure ? 



There are some parts of a horse which he cannot 

 reach to rub when they itch, particularly about the 

 shoulder, which he can neither bite with his teeth, nor 

 scratch with his hind foot. When this part itches, 

 he goes to another horse, and gently bites him in the 

 part which he wishes to be bitten : a kind office that 

 is immediately performed by his intelligent companion. 

 An attentive observer of nature* once remarked a 

 young foal bite its mother for this purpose. The mare 

 did not choose to drop the grass she had in her mouth, 

 and, instead of biting it, merely rubbed her nose 



* Dr. Darwin. 



