HORSE CONTRARINESS 



trying to lay up a supply that would last at least 

 four and a half days. The other horses are quite 

 willing to take a refreshing drink from the Govern- 

 ment drain when nothing else is handy, and this 

 brought to light a strange peculiarity of the finicky 

 one. She is willing to drink from the Government 

 drain sometimes, but only from one particular spot 

 in it. Lead her to any other part of the drain and 

 she will stand over the water without tasting it, but 

 let her get to her favourite spot and she will drink 

 with relish even from a cow track. As the water in 

 the drain is flowing steadily I cannot see how it can 

 possibly taste better in one place than another. It 

 is just a case of pure cussedness on the part of that 

 tiresome horse. I have trouble enough doing the 

 chores without catering to her whims. I am afraid 

 that some day I shall get real peevish and let her go 

 dry till she is willing to drink any decent water that 

 is offered to her. I know there is a proverb which 

 says that "You can lead a horse to water, but you 

 can't make him drink," but I think if I set my mind 

 to it I can make her drink. Anyway, I have no in- 

 tention of leading her to her favourite pond twice a 

 day when the weather gets below zero. 



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