362 THE CHARACTER OF STABLE SERVANTS. 



saloon or the shop of an alcoholic dispensing druggist. 

 People are justly incensed at any one who brings rowdiness 

 or debauchery, in the disguise of a servant, into the commu- 

 nity, and a disregard of this matter will often affect the social 

 relations of an owner and his neighbors. 



If horses that have been quiet are noticed to draw back, 

 kick or bite when approached, it may be very reasonably con- 

 cluded that the animals are being in some or many ways 

 maltreated. When an owner is confident that his suspicions 

 are well founded, he is advised to give the men warning that 

 the continuance of such indications will result in their dis- 

 charge. If it is known that any one man has been guilty of 

 brutality he should be replaced by another servant. A man 

 who is brutal by nature can never be trusted with animals. 

 Horses which have been maltreated lose their confidence in 

 man and are very apt to become treacherous and dangerous 

 to ride or drive. A single case of abuse is often sufficient 

 to absolutely ruin a good horse. Instances are not wanting 

 of horses that have, after years of separation, attacked and 

 killed servants who at one time brutalized them. On the 

 other hand, a kind servant may regain the confidence of, and 

 handle with safety, a horse that is apparently vicious. 



The writer has had, for a very brief period, men who, by 

 injudicious and rough usage, have converted a stable full of 

 horses into a den of wild animals ; legs must be strapped 

 up or twitches put on in order to groom the "vicious brutes" ; 

 kicking-straps and severe bits used to drive them in safety, 

 and the majority pronounced to be worthless. These same 

 horses in the hands of other men would follow them about 

 like the nursery lamb and could be handled or driven with- 

 out any straitjacket appliances. There are some horses that 



