Tricks, Etc., Taught by Kindness 91 



and that trouble is invited which might easily be 

 avoided. 



Horses are made to perform tricks by being 

 hampered in various ways ; by instant and condign 

 punishment for failure or inattention ; and by caress 

 and reward for proper performance. Too often the 

 most summai-y methods are used. Thus a horse is 

 taught he must not cross the low boundary of the 

 circus-ring, by stationing around it men armed with 

 . heavy whips, who thrash him unmercifully at every 

 attempt to leave it. His one-ideaed mind acquires 

 the impression that he cannot go out until the barrier 

 is removed, and he, imagining finally that he cannot 

 escape, will remain in that eighteen-inch enclosure 

 to be beaten to death by his trainer if he elect. 



Horses vary greatly in their ability to learn, and 

 one can never tell whether or not they will "catch 

 the idea " until trial proves. Some most intelligent 

 and beautiful creatures are hopelessly awkward ; 

 again a homely old mongrel will pick up his signals, 

 etc., in wonderful fashion, and prove as agile as a 

 goat. If adaptable, every one has a predilection 



