CHAPTER X. 



MISCELLANEOUS HABITS. 



To CATCH A HORSE. 



IF a young colt is frequently petted by scratching the 

 mane and tail, giving apples, etc., care being used not to 

 arouse his fear or resentment in any way, instead of run- 

 ning away when approached, he will soon wait or come for- 

 ward to be petted and rewarded. It is frequently the case 

 that ladies who are in the habit of petting horses, are able 

 to approach and catch them in the field without the least 

 difficulty, while they cannot be approached at all by men. 

 The reason is that women are more kind and gentle in their 

 treatment, and always ready to caress the horse, and re- 

 ward with a little sugar, or something else of which he is 

 fond ; neither do they take advantage by whipping or other 

 abuse; while men, who are frequently in the habit of ston- 

 ing the horse, or hitting him with the halter when turning 

 him out, cannot go near him, or succeed in catching him 

 only after the most prolonged effort, on account of the fear 

 and repugnance such treatment creates. 



When a small boy, I was presented with a young don- 

 key. Of course I was delighted, and would occasionally 

 put oats in my pocket, and feed her from my hand. This 

 soon made her such a pet that as soon as she saw or heard 

 me, no matter how far distant, she would whinny and run 

 toward me, put her head under my arm, and try to get her 

 nose into my pocket for the oats with which I rewarded 



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