1 38 COLONIAL URGENCIE.S. 



use of his limbs, and in actual contact with animals more terrible 

 to him if not more cruel than lions. 



297. — Much has been said and written against this system of 

 capturing the wild horses of Australia. It is undoubtedly too 

 dangerous for adoption in any country where horses are valuable, 

 and quite needless where they are moderately tame. But knowing 

 what these horses really are, and what the men cost, and what 

 the men are who have to handle them, and the price the horses 

 fetch in the home market, where thousands of good light colts 

 have been sold for 10s. each, we are unable to think of any plan 

 less cruel that could be made to answer the purpose. To prescribe 

 Earey's straps, or Sample's holding by head and tail, would be 

 like the old nursery receipt to catch a wild bird by putting salt 

 on its tail. Nc Karey could creep up to them, no Sample could 

 hold one of them for a moment, even if the head and tail were 

 put in his hands. They would knock themselves to pieces in a 

 crush pen, and would batter themselves far more if thrown in any 

 way we know of without the temporary garrote. 



298. — To our mind, the cruelty comes in at the next stage of' 

 the business. A little more time and patience spent with the 

 wild horse when on the ground (357 to 363), far less than such a 

 timid, neglected animal might be expected to require, would soon 

 put him on a par with younger handled hoi'ses, would save a lot 

 of rough, cruel, dangerous fighting with him afterwards, and often 

 make him a trustworthy and valuable servant up to a reasonable 

 old age. 



Whilst unable to hurt himself or anyone else, enough time 

 should be taken to convince him that he may come in contact 

 with man without being consumed, or suffering any serious injury 

 (357). An extra hour so spent would make all the difference, 

 and would be returned with interest in after dealing with him. 

 There are not a few men in Australia now who have found this 

 out and act upon it, but unfortunately colonial life is still prone 

 to be fast, men's time is costly and horses are cheap ; there is no 

 fun where lives and limbs are not endangered, and the peace of 

 mind or comfort of body of the poor horse is too often a matter 

 of no concern to any one. He is too soon allowed to rise, either 



