THE MEXICAN BIT AND CURB 73 



foremost in guiding; but a coaxing word often makes a 

 good understanding, and the horse is most sensitive to 

 kindness. His ears are quick to catch a caressing sound. 

 Few are really vicious by inclination, and it must be some 

 remembrance of a cruelty during their early training which 

 makes them so.' 



But horses are widely different in disposition, are they not? 



' They are the same as in man. Did you not read lately 

 of a horse trampling not only his master, but his master's 

 little son to death ? ' 



You refer to the stableman in New York who had owned 

 and fed the horse for four years ? 



' It is the same. That horse must have been a Per- 

 cheron, for they are singularly revengeful, and never forget 

 an injury.' 



But what could the man have done, to provoke the horse 

 to commit such a horrible deed ? 



' Some men are naturally overbearing, and take no 

 trouble to win the affection and good-will of the animals 

 under their charge. This man may have punished the 

 horse unjustly, or have teased him or neglected to feed him, 

 or have done many other things which were offences from 

 the horse's standpoint. The Percheron is slow and sullen, 

 and never forgives nor forgets.' 



Are they not especially valuable as draught-horses? 



' Immensely so. They are never speedy, but have 

 enormous strength and endurance, being founded on Arab 

 blood, and can pull for so many hours a day and so many 

 miles an hour tremendous weights, and show no fatigue. 

 The express companies own a large number of Percherons, 

 for which they pay the stated sum of 6333.33 apit^ce, or 

 $1000 for three. 



