22 EXPERIMENT WITH THE ROBE, 



frightful. This is their strange mode of examining 

 everything. And, when they are frightened at any- 

 thing, though they look at it sharply, they seem to 

 have no confidence in this optical examination alone, 

 but must touch it with the nose before they are 

 entirely satisfied ; and, as soon as this is done, all is 

 right, 



EXPERIMENT WITH THE ROBE. 



If you want to satisfy yourself of this characteristic 

 of the horse, and to learn something of importance 

 concerning the peculiarities of his nature, &c., turn 

 him into the barn-yard, or a large stable will do, 

 and then gather up something that you know will 

 frighten him a red blanket, buffalo robe, or some- 

 thing of that kind. Hold it up so that he can see 

 it, he will stick up his head and snort. Then throw 

 it down somewhere in the centre of the lot or barn, 

 and walk off to one side. Watch his motions, and 

 study his nature. If he is frightened at the object, 

 he will not rest until he has touched it with his nose. 

 You will see him begin to walk around the robe and 

 snort, all the time getting a little closer, as if drawn 

 up by some magic spell, until he finally gets within 

 reach of /it. He will then very cautiously stretch 

 out his neck as far as he can reach, merely touching 

 it with his nose, as though he thought it was ready 

 to fly at him. But after he has repeated these 

 touches a few times, for the first time (though he has 



