20 THE STOCK owner's ADVISER. 



sand. Some of these horses in size, form, and motion are of 

 the most perfect symmetry and models of beauty, possessing in 

 a marked degree the varied movements and grace cliaracterizing 

 the carefully trained and bred horse. 



The horse is the associate of man's pride, vices, and infirmi- 

 ties, no less than of his independence and strength. He, like 

 man, requires, and is capable of, great cultivation and discipline. 

 Associated with man in his sins, he has been cursed like him with 

 his diseases. 



The earliest histor}^ of the horse in battle is found in Pha- 

 raoh's pursuit of the children of Israel. His martial traits 

 especially have been the theme of glorious description and eulogy 

 in all ages. The muse of history has painted his superb appear- 

 ance in battle and thrown a bewildering fascination around the 

 brilliant charge. 



HABITS OF THE HORSE. 



The habits of the horse in all countries, and of all varieties, 

 are much the same. Wherever he is at large he is bold, but shy, 

 and readily taking note of the appearance of man. In their 

 wild state the different herds do not mingle together, and if one 

 strays from his own and gets into another herd he is kicked out. 

 In his state of wildness he is most free and happy, and lives the 

 longest. The wild rover of the plains lives to a great age, and, 

 except in cases of accident or the fly, most of them die from -old 

 age. Some of them attain the age of forty and fifty years. They 

 take exercise as nature requires, and are governed by its instincts. 

 Their food is the wild grasses of the prairies, and their drink is 

 of the clear water brook. Instead of the filthy stable of the 

 domesticated animal, his bed is on the fresh grass of the valleys 

 or elevated slopes. His shelter is under the deep shades of the 

 olive and fig trees. Instead of the reeking fumes of crowded 

 stables, the air he breathes is scented with the perfume of roses 

 and flowers. His bed, therefore, in his wild state is one of blos- 

 soms and perfume. He visits the salt lakes, with which the 

 country abounds, and his simple life is almost free from diseases. 



