FOR MOTHERS AND CHILDREN. 21 



and right, and is as far removed from cruelty as is light 

 from darkness, or bitter from sweet ; but, hand in hand 

 with it, gentleness should ever go. A hasty temper will 

 induce cutting with the whip, dragging with the bridle, 

 kicking or rasping with the heel, and uttering rough words, 

 which, although not thoroughly understood by the animal, 

 yet carry a tone with them which has a meaning for him of 

 no pleasurable sort. On the other hand, a child of cold and 

 dogged disposition will take its turn out of the willing slave 

 at its command, and think no more about it than if it were 

 a mere machine. This is pitiably wrong. You, as a child, 

 ought to teach your horses to love you. You can do so, and 

 it is well worth the time employed in the pursuit. I need 

 not tell you how to do it : instinct will teach you. There 

 are a thousand little ways and means, all of which you can 

 try. For instance, always pet your horse in his stall, and 

 when saddled for your use ; make much of him when you 

 are on his back, patting his neck, and stroking him gently 

 with your hand, speaking soothingly to him all the while. 

 Accustom him to the sound of your voice ; give him scraps 

 of bread, sugar, apple, or carrot when you dismount, or 

 while he waits for you at the door ; and when you do this, 

 allow him to take the morsel quietly off the palm of your 

 hand, not showing any fear ; he will not bite you, if he is fit 

 to be your pet. You should never offer him a bit between 

 your fingers, or pull your hand away before he has taken 

 the morsel up. This will, or at least may, induce him to 

 snap : just as it would provoke a dog to do, if tantalised. 

 You can feed him, too, if you like, when seated on his back ; 



