36 Our Noblest Friend, The Horse 



tensely nervous horse that makes him quick to take 

 these notions of disHke. Of course, all race-horses, 

 as they advance in training, become irritable and 

 irrational to a degree — and, man or beast, there 

 is something about perfect physical condition that 

 acts upon the mental, and renders them at these 

 times unreasonable, morose, and " crotchety " to a 

 degree, and it is then that personal inclination as to 

 society or seclusion must be closely studied and intel- 

 ligently catered to if the best results are to accrue. 

 The writer has often thought that we do not suffi- 

 ciently regard the sense of hearing — of " pitch " — 

 in the animal ear. We all know that certain tones 

 or notes in voice or instrument will make dogs un- 

 easy, finally howling dismally, or escaping if possi- 

 ble; and it has been said that every violin or piano 

 has some special notes of harmony or discord that 

 will drive any dog to desperation. He believes that 

 the horse is affected in the same way, but possibly 

 to a lesser degree. Certain horses seem to rejoice in 

 carrying the drums in a mounted band; others can 

 never be made to submit quietly. Every one has 



