184 CONFESSIONS OF A HORSE DEALER. 



tfoey may temporarily gain when attempted to be re- 

 strained, or coerced into anything contrary to their will. 

 3For this the horse is probably beaten on the spot, or, 

 -what is worse, corrected in the stable ; and the ill- 

 feeling between him and mankind is still further aug- 

 mented, until they scarcely ever meet without an 

 attempt to bite or kick on one side, and a curse with a 

 "blow from a bludgeon on the other. 



I do not mean to assert that all, or even the majority 

 of our racing colts are subjected to the treatment above 

 described ; but it is a lamentable fact, that they are 

 made to fear or hate man more than any other animal, 

 or thing, with which it is general for them to come in 

 contact ; but colts bred for general purposes are almost 

 invariably (like some racing stock) left to the care, or 

 rather dominion, of illiterate, coarse-minded persons, 

 who think the display of power, and rude subjugation 

 of every colt entrusted to them, manifests their efficiency : 

 uch conceited men as these laugh at the idea of con- 

 ciliating and instilling confidence into the instinct of a 

 colt (which is the groundwork of training all animals 

 intended for the service or companionship of man), when 

 by brute force they can effect their purpose. But this 

 they fail to do with a high-couraged, entire blood-colt, 

 as five times out of ten their so-called training produces 

 either a wild, nervous, or viciously disposed animal, 

 that after having been brought by them to this state, 

 lias either to remain so, and thereby highly dangerous 

 to all whose duties bring them in contact with him, or 



