THE HORSE 3 



in street and stable, only lowers the man or iad who 

 so forgets himself, and answers no purpose what- 

 ever where the horse s concerned. 



Some people seem to think that a close associa- 

 tion with horses is low and vulgar, but all right- 

 thinking and generous-minded people will fail to 

 understand so low a standard of ideas. The horse 

 is above all things noble, and if he becomes aught 

 else it is the work of man, who has ill-treated him 

 and abused his natural abilities. 



As I have already said, characters and dispositions 

 differ widely; so also do the capabilities of horses. 



The stables they stand in, the work they are called 

 upon to do, the treatment they receive, the quality 

 and quantity of food, all tend to produce various 

 effects upon our equine friend. 



From earliest times and in all ages has the horse 

 figured very prominently in the world's history. His 

 gallant deeds, like those of any human hero, have 

 been sung by poets and minstrels. There are few 

 books of interest written which do not contain some 

 mention of him. Tales devoted to his prowess, 

 endurance, devotion and intelligence are endless. 



Many a pioneer, huntsman, soldier, and private 

 individual has owed his life to the keen instinct and 

 intelligence of his horse when in a tight place or an 

 awkward race for life, even when that race has ended 

 only with the noble beast's last breath. Many such 

 tales come to us from our colonies. 



The adaptability of the horse to his surroundings 

 at home and abroad, in field or camp, in the battle 

 or on the road, is very wonderful, and only tends to 

 endear him to his master, whose fortunes, good or 

 bad, he shares. 



A horse understands much more than most people 

 think. I was riding a favourite mare one day — a 

 cold winter's day, the air keen and cutting as a knife, 



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