RIDING AND DRIVING 91 



tired. Some ponies are naturally lazy, and will not 

 trot up anywhere near their limit unless the whip is 

 applied, but please remember there are others 

 equally generous and willing, who are imbued with 

 a spirit of gameness that is continually urging them 

 on — this must be controlled. I have often heard a 

 stupid groom, in reply to a remonstrance from his 

 master about driving a horse too fast, say, '' I never 

 touched him with whip." This sort of man thinks 

 if he lets the horse go his own pace he cannot be 

 accused of driving too fast, and it is such men that 

 ruin high-spirited horses. 



I feel certain that the reader I am addressing is 

 not the sort to ill-treat dumb animals of any kind, 

 and I am sure he will understand that when in 

 charge of a horse the responsibility for its welfare 

 is upon his own shoulders. Cruelty to animals is 

 more often than not the result of thoughtlessness, 

 at least I believe it is with boys, if not with men. 

 If you will forgive me for preaching, I should like 

 to point out that it is worse to be cruel to animals 

 than it is to human beings. The Creator has put 

 the animals in our power, and therefore under our 

 protection. Horses have to work for us, and cattle 

 have to die for us, but that is no reason why we 

 should inflict any unnecessary suffering. 



After considerable experience with animals of all 

 sorts, I have come to the conclusion that each 

 and every one has a distinct individual character. 

 Bear this in mind, and study the characteristics of 

 your pony or your dog. If there is any sympathy 



