BALKING. 



95 



three minutes. On placing the foot again on the 

 ground the horse would go on as if nothing had 

 stopped him. 



"Possibly his attention was thus distracted from 

 what had caused his sudden disinclination to move." 



Is it not worse than stupid that the driver of '^. 

 balking horse will not explain to him the alarming 

 object, whether it be an engine or a scarecrow? 



" Ah, dear madam, the horse is too often regarded 

 as a mere machine, without common sense or even 

 common instinct. It is only a man of intelligence 

 who will discover the same quality in his horse and 

 credit him with 'horse-sense.' " 



I notice that expression quite commonly used. 

 What is its real meaning? 



" It intends to convey the idea of ordinary intelli- 

 gence combined with quick and unerring instinct 

 which together prevent mistakes. Many a traveller 

 owes his life to 'horse-sense,' when if left to his own 

 he would have lost it. Afterward with what nervous 

 awe, he has looked upon the frail and narrow bridge, 

 spanning a rushing torrent far below, over which 

 his faithful sure-footed beast has carried him in 

 safety, while the thunder rolled and the lightning 

 flash was the only lantern, to point out the dangerous 

 path in the inky blackness of night!" 



