34 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



allayed his feeling of distrust and timidity, and 

 caused him to seem to recognise his friend. Senti- 

 ment to the contrary, he has no " longing for the 

 famiUar hand, the well-known voice," nor will he 

 " cuddle his head upon your breast in the expression 

 of his wordless affection," as the fairy tales run. If 

 he does so " cuddle," it is because some one has 

 been accustomed to fondle him thus; and this is 

 tolerated because of the sugar or carrot which has 

 proved a not unusual accompaniment. While dis- 

 tressing to the writer thus to wipe away the cob- 

 webs of tradition and of school-book narrative, cold 

 facts are what they will be, and most actions of our 

 four-footed friends are explainable if reasons for 

 them are sought. 



If affection is not felt for man, resentment is 

 plainly evidenced, and certain race-horses have been 

 known either to fly into a frightful rage, or to shake 

 and sweat with dread when they heard the tones of 

 a jockey who had brutally punished them in a race ; 

 yet this same rider could stand directly before them, 

 and no demonstration followed as long as he did not 



