GENERAL HISTORY OF THE HORSE 389 



subsists between the Arab and his steed, and 

 the kindness manifested by the people of eastern 

 countries to their asses and mules, and the benefit 

 they derive from such a mode of treatment. If no 

 other principle will awaken their kindly feelings towards 

 those most useful animals, surely that of self-interest 

 should stimulate them to adopt gentler measures. 



The first breaking and training of the horse 

 should only be entrusted to persons of mild disposi- 

 tions, as it is by kind and patient treatment alone 

 that we can hope to succeed in rendering this valuable 

 animal truly useful and docile ; for although force may 

 produce obedience, it will be found, as with man him- 

 self, that as soon as fear has subsided and the animal 

 has discovered its own strength, revenge will generally 

 follow. I have no doubt that in nine cases out of ten 

 where horses betray furious or stubborn tempers, that 

 these have been produced from the cruelty or ignor- 

 ance of their first trainers. The horse is an animal of 

 great intelligence ; but everything addressed to his 

 perceptions should be clear, short, and distinct, for he 

 is incapable of following a train of spoken language. 

 Few words, delivered with precision, accompanied by 

 caresses and gentle treatment, will be found more 

 effectual than any other course.* 



The domestication of the horse may be regarded 

 as one of the most important acquisitions made by 

 man from the animal kingdom. Without this useful 

 quadruped, civilisation must have made comparatively 

 but little progress, and we should have been later by 

 many centuries in emerging from barbarism. The 

 horse contributes largely to our luxuries, pleasures, 



* Wo ! used by carters to horses, is derived from the Norman- 

 French, and signifies, " attend, stop, listen." Gee ! is derived from 

 the German verb gehen, " to go." 



