The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



nervous unhandled three- year-old horse, and the 

 problem is dealt with accordingly. It is 

 appHcable to stallions, mares and geldings of 

 every sort and of all ages. If there is any 

 redmidancy of explanation, it is hoped that, as 

 the book is primarily written for persons without 

 much knowledge of horses, it may be forgiven. 



What has first to be done is to attract the 

 horse's confidence, and then his affection. 

 Ponies, horses and cattle, and, in fact, all 

 animals handled continuously from birth, 

 acquire this confidence so completely in the 

 man who loves them and understands their 

 natures as from within, that nothing that he 

 can do will either disturb or frighten them. 

 Their affection for him is so strong that even 

 the infliction of severe pain, as in necessary 

 surgical operations, is borne quite patiently, 

 the animals understanding that from him — 

 the master — ^it is done for their good. To be 

 able to secure the whole-souled affection of the 

 noblest animal created — the horse — is a gift and 

 privilege, of which only those on whom it is con- 

 ferred can fully appreciate its priceless beauty. 



To one who has this intimate knowledge of 

 the nature of the horse, there is no exercise of 

 his powers more thrilling in interest than in the 

 case of an animal that has grown to adult 

 age unhandled and without knowledge of man. 

 In this country the opportunities of finding 



11 



