PREFACE 7 



of starting, and the spirit with which they press onward in the 

 contest of speed. Examples have even been given of horses 

 deprived of their riders still pursuing the course with the keenest 

 ardour and come in conquerors. The animal, indeed, seems to 

 share strongly the feelings of its master in many things, and 

 enters with joy into his pursuits. In the hunting field, for 

 instance, how often has it been observed that fire lights up its eye, 

 and with what eagerness it pricks up its ears and listens to the 

 voice of the pack, and the ardour with which it joins in the sport, 

 in pursuit of which, surmounting all objects opposed to it. 



The horse is not more remarkable for the grace and nobleness 

 of its form, for its strength, agility, and swiftness, for its boldness 

 and spirit, than for the docility with which it resigns its vast 

 powers to the service of mankind. The subjugation of the noble 

 animal is complete. It is not, however, the degradation of un- 

 willing bondage, but the instinctive surrender of physical powers 

 for the purposes for which they were given. If we can read 

 design at all in the functions of animal economy, we must believe 

 that the horse has been formed for the service of mankind, and 

 has the faculties assigned to it which are fitted for that end. 

 Its vast strength and immense powers of rapid progression would 

 avail us nothing were it not endowed at the same time with a 

 temperament which causes it to submit its actions to the control 

 of a superior wisdom. Likewise Nature has not formed this 

 powerful creature to shun the control of man, as is the case of 

 many other animals, but has linked it by its natural wants and 

 instincts to our society. It is only wiien under human guidance 

 that its most useful faculties are exercised, and its full maturity 

 of form and strength attained. The natural state of the horse, it 

 may be said, is not that of freedom but of domestication. 



On the other hand, seeing that the servant is so faithful, useful, 



