HORSE-TAMING AND BREAKING 201 



are rare, but in the wilder parts there are plenty of 

 wild and half -wild horses. 



' From the mode of life the half-wild bush-horses 

 of Australia lead, unaccustomed to the hand of man, 

 and not dependent upon him for food, they learn to 

 look upon him with alarm and suspicion, and it re- 

 quires some manoeuvring to approach them without 

 creating a premature panic. On the approach of a 

 horseman one or two on the outside sound an alarm 

 and make off towards the rest, who thereupon rush 

 together and a general concentration takes place. 

 It is a fine sight to see a herd of these horses, of 

 every size, age, and colour, mustering in this manner 

 from hill and valley, as if by common consent. 

 Though physically very powerful, they assume no 

 threatening aspect ; their safety lies in their speed ; 

 and as they eye the suspicious object their meaning 

 is obvious. They say, as plainly as looks and ges- 

 tures can say, " Now, what do you want ? If you 

 are a stranger, pass on quietly ; but if you are for a 

 gallop we are quite ready to try of what mettle that 

 horse of yours is made." J 



Occasionally the stallions become vicious, and 

 will not hesitate to attack a horseman if he ventures 

 too near their herd, laying back their ears and 

 charging him open-mouthed ; this, however, is of 

 rare occurrence. A more common though less 

 natural habit is that of destroying foals. This is a 

 ruinous vice and most unaccountable. Horses that 



