140 THE DESERT AND THE ROSE 



and later Ricardo, both of whom were abnormally 

 fond of horses. 



We begin with the mare, who receives if possible 

 more kindly and rational treatment than the other 

 creatures on the ranch. She must have perfect con- 

 fidence in those who care for her. Prenatal influence 

 is an enormous factor in the colt's disposition, and 

 as all those know, or should know, who handle dumb 

 beasts, occasionally asserts itself in a manner either 

 startling- or funny. For instance I owned at one 

 time a fine, spirited horse who was so ultra mis- 

 chievous that I had reluctantly to part with him. 

 An ill conditioned range horse called Jeff, retained 

 solely because he was fast to buggy, was Major's 

 special aversion, and there were times when we be- 

 lieved he would kill the range horse if permitted. 

 Anyway, even when hitched up with the mare, his 

 team mate, Major had to be muzzled, not that he 

 would hurt her but he loved to scare her out of her 

 senses. He was so full of tricks that he could not 

 wisely be driven single. He might cover several 

 miles in splendid style without a jar, then suddenly 

 arise on his hindlegs and fall back on the buggy 

 and its occupants, which was a bit disconcerting. It 

 was difficult to keep him either in shed or corral, so 

 resourceful was he, and when led to water it was 

 his delight to twitch off the Mexican's sombrero as 

 he stooped to pump and throw it as far as he could. 

 Strange to say no Mexican who ever worked this 

 troublesome horse disliked him ; on the contrary they 

 would walk grinning after missing hats or catch 

 the truant without so much as a passing grouch. 



