avery's own farrier. 229 



same time to pull on the reins, though I would not resort 

 to this until other means had failed. 



To test this theory, let two men (for instance) look- 

 steadily and direct into each other's eyes, with the full 

 determination of each to outlook the other; the one or 

 the other must soon give out yielding to the power of the 

 other. And so it is with the horse; he is mentally- 

 weaker than man and must yield to his superiority when 

 once brought in contact with the strong battery of his 

 mental power, for this is a sort of mental war between 

 the horse and his master, which may depend in a greater 

 or less degree on the physical strength that accompanies 

 it. This war, too, may be considered all the harder for 

 man to fight on account of the energies of the animal, 

 the whole river of life being used to carry his own mill. 

 But when we have all the energies attributable to the 

 animal, and the gift of reason besides to help guide and 

 direct, then there must be a misapplication if we are not 

 the victors. If there is any doubt remaining with any 

 one whether the horse knows the difference between 

 good and ill-treatment, you spit on his nose and see how 

 quick he will resent it, by throwing up his head and 

 leering, as much as to say, you may get bit, or I will 

 send my heels at you, if you repeat the insult. And see 

 that he does not remind you of it the next time he has 

 an opportunity. He loves you because you first loved 

 him. When and wherever this principle is rightly un- 

 derstood, the business of going around the country and 

 obtaining from five to ten dollars a piece from the boys 

 for learning them how to choke horses, will be at an 



end as it should be, for I have seen several valuable horses 



20 



