PER50XAI. EXf'ERIKXCE. 18-3 



then received horses from adjoining counties, some 

 coming as far as twenty-five and thirty miles. By 

 handling horses in this way for a little over two years, 

 I received a very good practical knowledge of different 

 dispositions and vices in horses. In this way I learned 

 to judge a horse's disposition at sights almost as correct- 

 ly as the man that owned the horse could describe it. 

 The most serious objections I had to handling horses 

 in this manner were: First — It was only the very 

 worst dispositioned horses that were brought me to, 

 handle; and in the next place^ they were gwned by men 

 that were timid, and afraid of gentle horses. Some- 

 times, after I would give them a course of training, 

 and make them gentle and safe enough for any body 

 to drive that knew enough to hold the lines, say ''Get 

 up!*'and"\V}ioa ! ''they would use them a little while, 

 and then let them know by thnir actions they were 

 afraid of them. Of course the horse, after seeing he 

 had opportunity, would frequently take it, and fall 

 into his old tracks, when I would take hiui back an^ 

 give him another course of handling, to get kim under 

 control again. I don't mean to say that all the horses 

 that I broke were owned by timid or careless drivers, 

 for I am glad to say that I handled horses for some 

 of the very best horsemen in the country. I do not 

 mean to speak disrespectfully of the men who are 

 timid and afraid of horses, because we all know it ia 

 natural for some men to be afraid of horses of any 

 kind. However, I am very grateful to all whose horses 

 I have handled, and thank them very much fr their 



