GREAT VALUE OF THIS KNOWLEDGE. 29 



absolute control. A mustang, or really bad stallion, or 

 a horse of a vicious mustang nature, is not prevented 

 from attacking or kicking a man, because he may show 

 courage. Stallions and horses of an intelligent, aggres- 

 sive, wide-awake character, are very sharp in their percep- 

 tions, and rely very much on the bullying plan of righting 

 back, and are easily disconcerted by a sharp, confident ex- 

 pression of word or action. The point is, to trust yourself 

 as far as you can do so safely. 



A short time ago a young horse was brought in for me 

 to try treatment upon before the class. This horse was 

 never handled or harnessed, and I saw at once he was a 

 very dangerous, bad brute. I called special attention to 

 his dangerous character ; yet, to a casual observer, he did 

 not seem more dangerous than an ordinary unbroken colt. 

 The owner, with much confidence, questioned my judg- 

 ment ; said he never had any trouble with him, and could 

 handle the colt safely. He was about going forward to 

 put his hand upon the colt, saying, he " was not afraid of 

 any horse." I said, " Hold on, sir : you do not see your 

 danger. I do, and will prove it to you ; and then, if you 

 think best to go near the horse, you can do so ; but I warn 

 you, it will be at the hazard of your life." At the same 

 moment, I touched the horse as gently and carefully as I 

 could with the end of a pole, when he sprang into the air 

 at the instant, kicking and striking at me in the most fear- 

 ful manner, showing his extremely dangerous character. 

 The man turned pale, saying he would not have believed 

 it possible that the colt could be so vicious. " Why," 

 said he, turning to me, " he might have killed me." After 

 that I had plenty of room, and no volunteers to assist ; 

 yet, in less than fifteen minutes I had the colt entirely 

 gentle. If you cannot see and read the horse's intentions 

 clearly, and feel that you are safe, the best way is to go 

 slow, feel your way, and be thorough. 



GREAT VALUE OF THIS KNOWLEDGE. 



In accomplishing easily and with certainty an end that 

 has so large and direct an influence upon the prosperity 

 and happiness of all classes of society as my system 

 of educating horses enables, the correct dissemination of 

 it is of the greatest importance and value. 



