CHAPTER III. 



THE SENSE OF SMELL IN THE HORSE. 



Of course, Count, you have read what Madame de 

 Stael says, that " the sense of smell is the noblest of 

 the senses." Is it the keenest sense in the horse? 



" While the senses of sight and hearing are preter- 

 naturally acute, even more so than in dogs, the sense 

 of smell is exceedingly fine. It answers to the com- 

 bined senses of touch, taste, and smell in man. If a 

 horse can investigate an object to his satisfaction 

 with his nose, he no longer fears it." 



Is this true with regard to the steam-engine, that 

 bete 7ioir of the horse? 



" He may see and hear a steam engine, and through 

 these senses exhibit fear and anxiety to get away 

 from it. But if once coaxed close and held firmly 

 near it, and made to smell of it, he will never show or 

 feel the same fear again, and aided by sight and 

 hearing can soon be broken to its various manifesta- 

 tions of noise — escaping steam, whistle, and shriek." 



Then it is important to take him close enough to 

 the locomotive, to let him smell it in order to break 

 him properly? 



" His nose will convince him of its harmlessness, 

 when eyes and ears fail." 



How can he conquer his fear of wild beasts, even 



22 



