Nervous Disposition 187 



TEMPERAMENT IN THE HORSE 



Perhaps the greater number of wild, refractory and 

 vicious horses owe their faults to inequalities of 

 temper. It is therefore of much importance that 

 the temperaments be studied carefully. Horses 

 may be divided into four general classes according to 

 their temper: teachable, nervous, stubborn and 

 treacherous. The horse with a teachable temper is 

 kind and docile. He is easily taught and readily 

 adapts himself to various conditions. He is very 

 seldom frightened, excited or provoked to bad 

 habits. The horse with a nervous temperament 

 is ambitious and determined. He is quick to learn 

 and acts with all his power. If he is properly directed 

 he rapidly develops into the best type of horse. On 

 the other hand, if he is improperly directed, he is 

 quickly spoiled. He is easily frightened and has a 

 natural tendency to develop such habits as shying, 

 running away and the like. He seldom balks, and 

 when he struggles he does so with all his power. 

 Though this class resists hard, it is easily conquered, 

 after which it will do anything that it understands. 



The horse with a stubborn temperament is will- 

 ful and difficult to conquer. He calls for patient 

 effort and tact on the part of the horseman, as the 

 horse of this class is persistent and does not give up. 

 The horse with such a temper often becomes sullen, 

 his senses seem to have become blunted and he 



