BLINKERS AND BLINDNESS. 



99 



to a lame one. Their sense of hearing is abnormally 

 developed. They listen always to the echo of their 

 own footsteps, which tells them how near they are 

 to an object. Their olfactory nerves also become 

 preternaturally sensitive, and warn them of the ap- 

 proach of persons or things. They know their mas- 

 ter by his voice, his step, his smell, his touch, quite 

 as well as a horse that can see. Blindness seems to 

 develop all their affectionate instincts. They par- 

 ticularly love their mate in the stable or in driving; 

 doing their share of work cheerfully, depending on 

 him only for guidance, and if separated will pine and 

 refuse to be comforted." 



Then, for all these reasons, he will not deteriorate 

 so much in value? 



" His value should not be greatly lessened, as his 

 usefulness is by no means at an end. Conscious of 

 his deficiency, he seems always most anxious to do his 

 best, while any natural wilfulness gives place to the 

 most amiable desire to be led or guided, only that he 

 may do the thing required of him. While there is 

 nothing that more appeals to the sympathies than a 

 blind horse, it is not on account of his helplessness so 

 much, as because of his exceeding willingness, and 

 the surprising cleverness of his sharpened instincts." 



