RULING BY KINDNESS. 307 



and men are naturally antagonistic to each other ; 

 that the horse is always trying to thwart the man, 

 and that it will only work when compelled by the 

 terror of the lash. They act on this assumption, and 

 the natural consequence is, that there is a perpetual 

 struggle between them and the horses which are under 

 their control. 



Of course there are exceptions, but, as every one 

 will admit who has had experience of grooms, 

 stablemen, and drivers, whether in country or in 

 town, brutality is the rule, and kindness the excep- 

 tion. It must be said on behalf of the men that 

 they have the excuse of ignorance. They have been 

 brought up to the idea that a horse can only be 

 ruled by fear. They have never seen any other 

 mode adopted, and naturally refuse to believe that 

 any other mode is possible. 



I have often wondered why, even for their own 

 sakes, those who have the charge of horses do not 

 invariably treat them with kindness. It is so much 

 easier to manage a horse that is loving, confiding, 

 docile, and obedient, than one which goes in con- 

 stant fear of its attendant, and has to be coerced 

 into every action, that a groom who deliberately 

 makes a horse afraid of him is infinitely more foolish 

 than the poor beast which has no choice in the 

 matter. 



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