A WORD FROM HARRIET. IO7 



as inferior to man, yet he is in many respects vastly superior 

 to the cross-grained, profane, brutal, vulgar and ignorant 

 men into whose ownership he oftentimes falls. 



The stalls should be cleaned out every morning (and even- 

 ing also if occupied through the day), and a nice, soft, clean 

 bed made for the animal to rest upon. Many horses are in- 

 jured in their feet and legs by having to stand upon a great 

 pile of manure, from which the ammonia arises, for weeks 

 and months. The ammonia is also injurious to the eyes, to 

 say nothing of the harness. 



No colt will acquire bad habits of any kind if brought up 

 right. If a fault be discovered, as it should be, in the be- 

 ginning, it can easily be corrected. Overlooked and allowed 

 to run on for a time, it is then hard to eradicate. The owner 

 of a balky horse, for instance, has only himself to blame. 

 Gentle treatment, kind words, an apple, a wisp of hay and 

 a little patience, will move any but an old and confirmed 

 balker. Those who happen to own one of the latter will 

 often find a small bottle of ether effective in changing the 

 current of the horse's mind and inducing him to draw the 

 load. Only in rare cases has it ever failed. 



The women folks should become interested in the welfare 

 of the horse. Go often to the stable and talk to them and 

 pet them, Pat them on the nose, give them the apple skins, 

 and occasionally a fair, sound apple or potato. They will 

 soon become acquainted with you and learn to listen for your 

 footsteps and to love you. Possibly they may develop as 

 much real affection towards you as you can find elsewhere 

 about the premises ; if so this is a clear gain. If you have 

 courage go into the stall with them ; curry them, bridle or 

 harness them when necessary ; teach them to serve you, 

 which, if you are kind to them, they will be glad 



to do. 



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