The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



it is most extensively grown, horses and ponies 

 are fed almost exclusively on sugar-cane, as 

 it is the cheapest food product, and nowhere 

 in the wide world Ure the animals seen in such 

 perfect condition, with such shining coats 

 and found to be so free from every kind of 

 sickness and disease. Verb, sap., or, as in 

 U.S.A., " Nuff sed." 



To a horse who has never tasted sugar, it is 

 not at all easy at first to give it to him, and 

 requires patience and good handling. The 

 fact that you have already massaged his head, 

 lips, mouth and tongue is a distinct help. 

 Remembering the oats he will at once take 

 the lump into his mouth, only to reject it 

 immediately. Standing on the near side, put 

 your right hand on the top of his head, to 

 prevent him dramng it away and throwing it 

 up, and again present the lump with the left 

 hand. You will find his teeth shut, but he 

 will play mth the lump with his Hps. He 

 will keep his teeth shut, but, if you press the 

 lump against his teeth and rub it sideways 

 on them, he may open his teeth to bite the 

 lump. Hold it there quietly, and, by and 

 by, the lump, to his great sm^prise^ will give 

 way with a crash. His mouth will be filled 

 with the fragments, and his first impulse is to 

 reject the lot. He may succeed in getting 

 rid of most, but some will remain, and, on 

 turning these over in his mouth, he will find 



87 



