INSTINCT AND MEMORY OF THE HORSE 273 



his speed, but, finding after a trial of two or tliree 

 hundred yards, that his retreat to the herd is still 

 intercepted, he doubles round in the rear of his 

 pursuer, who, were he to continue his onward career, 

 would thereby lose a great deal of ground ; but such 

 is the agility of the stock-horse that he simul- 

 taneously wheels round, and still keeps on the inside 

 without losing an inch. This kind of thing is re- 

 peated again and again, till the baffled bullock is 

 fain to take any course his tormentor may direct.' ^ 



In submission to a master the horse is affected 

 by kind treatment almost as much as the dog and 

 elephant ; for although habitually his actions show 

 timidity, they are more an effect of good temper than 

 fear ; for where severity is unreasonably exercised, 

 obedience, which is readily granted to kind treat- 

 ment, becomes doubtful, and sooner or later breaks 

 out in vicious resentment and opposition. A horse 

 knows its own strength, and oppression has its limits. 

 * In emulation to surpass a rival no more convincing 

 instance can be cited than in the case of a racehorse 

 finding his competitor beginning to head him in the 

 course, seizing him by the fore-leg with such firm 

 teeth, that both jockeys were obliged to dismount to 

 part them. This was a horse of Mr. Quin's in 1753. 

 Forester, another racer, caught his antagonist by the 

 jaw to hold him back. Surely such animals should 



' Hay garth's Bush Life. 



T 



