CHAPTER XV. 



INTELLIGENCE OF THE HORSE. 



A great deal has been said and written about the intelligence of ani- 

 mals, and almost all agree that dogs, monkeys and elephants are highly 

 endowed; but some believe the horse is about the dumbest of all 

 animals. 



EDUCATION OF THE HORSE VERY IMPORTANT IN RELA- 

 TION TO HIS WORK. 



The great reason for believing the horse a dumb brute is that edu- 

 cators have had the least patience with the horse, owing to the fact that 

 an iron bit is used in his mouth, and he is by this means forced to do his 

 master's will, without understanding just what is desired of him. The 

 difference in the manifestations of intelligence is due m.ore to the edu- 

 cator than the animal to be educated. 



WONDERFUL MEMORY OF THE HORSE. 



There is certainly one point decidedly in favor of the horse in re- 

 spect to his education, and that is, that whatever he learns and under- 

 stands he never forgets; and this cannot be truthfully said of all men. 

 Horses, like people, have strong likes and dislikes, and where one edu- 

 cator succeeds, another will fail. It is all in the horse and man thor- 

 oughly understanding, or not understanding, each other, and by mutual 

 consent being friends or enemies. 



VALUE OF SUGAR FOR THE NERVOUS WILD HORSE. 



That through the medium of the stomach is the surest road to the 

 aflfections of the horse, there can be no question, when associated with 

 otherwise kind treatment. Sugar being a little sweeter than the dam's 

 milk, man may, by the use of this tempting morsel, divert the affections 

 of the young colt from its dam to himself, and thereby make a lasting 

 and faithful friend of the horse when matured. We know of no other 

 one thing that has so m.uch to do in gaining the attention and good will 

 of the nervous wild horse as small quantities of sugar, fed from the hand 

 of man, in the spirit of kindness and affection. By this treatment and 

 education, the valuable and trusty animal is made; and the reverse treat- 

 ment makes him unreliable and dangerous. 



THE HORSE AND HIS INSTRUCTOR SHOULD UNDER- 

 STAND EACH OTHER. 



The earlier we begin the education of our horses, the more valuable 

 servants they make, and the more money they will bring in the market. 



