NATURAL HISTORY. 141 



young horses hare changed their food, for when once 

 they are what is called corn-fed, that is, when they 

 feed on grain and hay, as they are more vigorous, it 

 is remarked also that they are less tractable, and 

 more difficult to break. 



The bit and the spur are two means made use of 

 to bring them into subjection. The mouth does not 

 appear formed by nature to receive any other impres- 

 sions than that of taste and appetite ; there is, howe- 

 ver, so great a sensibility in the mouth of a horse, 

 that in preference to the eyes and ears, we address 

 ourselves to it, to make him understand our pleasure. 

 The smallest motions or pressure of the bit, is suffici- 

 ent to inform and determine the animal ; and this or- 

 gan of sense has no other fault than its perfection. 

 Its too great sensibility must be managed, for if it is 

 abused, the mouth of the horse is rendered insensible 

 to the impression of the bit. The senses of sight and 

 hearing are not subject to such a change, and could 

 not be dulled in this manner; but, it has been found 

 inconvenient to govern horses by these organs, and it 

 is generally true, that signs given them by the sense 

 of feeling have more effect on animals in general than 

 those conveyed by the eyes or ears. Besides, the si- 

 tuation of horses with relation to those who mount or 

 conduct them, makes their eyes almost useless for this 

 purpose, because they see only straight forwards. 

 Hence they could only perceive the signs made to 

 them when they turned their heads round ; and al- 

 though they are frequently conducted and animated 

 by the ear, yet in fact, if they are well broken, the 

 smallest pressure of the thighs, or most trifling motion 

 of the bit, is sufficient to direct them. The spur is 

 <eveii useless, or at least it is only made use of to force 



