PUNISHMENT FOR DISOBEDIENCE 289 



Horses become discouraged and disobedient when 

 they are punished for they know not what or are given 

 double commands, as, for instance, "Whoa, back." 

 They get disgusted, I suppose a horse can get dis- 

 gusted, and finally mad when required to back a load 

 several times, when if the driver had cramped or 

 directed the front part of the vehicle at the right angle, 

 it would have been in the position desired by a single 

 effort. 



Horses, like men, should receive punishment for dis- 

 obedience; but, unlike men, they should receive theirs 

 here, and when the offense is committed, or they may 

 escape. There is often great cruelty shown to horses, 

 which is justly condemned. On the other hand, there is 

 much "namby pamby" literature on the subject of kind- 

 ness to horses. One of the things desired in horses is 

 strict and prompt obedience; failing to obtain this by 

 kind means, intelligently applied, then punishment for 

 disobedience should fall quickly. With brutal drivers, 

 the punishment for disobedience or non- performance of 

 duty is always excessive. Excessive punishment tends 

 to produce viciousness and lack of confidence, and, 

 above all, it is cruel. A single stroke with a light, 

 stinging whip will do more to prevent future disobedi- 

 ence than swear-words and many blows with whip and 

 club. 



If the driver is careless and lazy, so will the horse 

 soon become. The light touch on the reins and the firm, 

 kind, cheery voice do much to inspire the horse with 

 courage and obedience. Some men, even young men, 

 are so constituted that they should never be set at 



