GENERAL REMARKS. 119 



cause of danger, as to seem insensible to reason. Under 

 such circumstances, many men and women become so de- 

 mented that they are most likely to do just what they 

 should not. For example, they will try to save things of 

 no value, and leave valuable property to be destroyed, 

 throw mirrors and other fragile articles from upper story 

 windows, without realizing they must be broken ; be un- 

 able to dress, or will get on garments the wrong way, etc. 



Now the horse is liable to be excited and deranged in 

 the same manner. It is well understood how difficult it is 

 to get horses out of a burning building ; and if by blind- 

 folding, etc., they are taken out, when given freedom their 

 confusion and excitement is so intense that they are apt to 

 rush back into the fire. On the sudden approach of a train, 

 or blowing of the whistle, a horse in crossing the track is 

 liable to become so paralyzed that he cannot be forced across 

 in time to prevent a collision. It is not uncommon to have 

 a horse frightened to death in this way. 



To illustrate, I will include an account of a few such 

 cases that comprise the record of a few days only : 



"In Rochester, X. Y., the other day, a horse was so frightened at an 

 engine letting off steam that it trembled, and in a moment fell dead from 

 fright." 



"At White Plains, New York, a horse was so frightened by a locomo- 

 tive whistle that he dropped dead." 



"Two very remarkable cases of horses being frightened to death oc- 

 curred in Fairmount Park, Phil., within the past few days. Last Thursday 

 the horse of P. Wallace, of Seventeenth and Catharine streets, became un- 

 manageable, through fright at a train of cars on Mifflin Lane. The occu- 

 pants of the carriage alighted, and Mr. Wallace undertook to drive the horse 

 off to quiet it, when it dropped dead." 



"During Monday the horse of Mr. Zeiss, Ridge avenue and Jefferson 

 street, ran away by fright at a passing steamboat. Guard Ledlie caught the 

 animal, when Mr. Zeiss said ho could then manage the horse., and started off. 

 The horse went off all right for about 60 yards, when he again ran away and 

 went 15 or 20 feet, when he dropped dead." 



Colts or unbroken horses are especially susceptible to 

 fear. Almost every step in their management, as shown 

 in Colt Training, lies in overcoming resistance excited by 



