The Horse, as Comrade and Friend 



contrast. But however low the tone of the 

 picture, the movement in it is always that of 

 actuahty, and it is probable that movement, 

 rather than contrasts of hght and shade, makes 

 the earhest impression on the foal's mind, and 

 colour the last. The tone of the foal's pictures, 

 even at the end, is probably low, but the move- 

 ment, definition and contrasts quite perfect. 



Here foals have the luck to be born mostly 

 in the early hours of a sunny morning in May, 

 the blessed month of wild flowers and sunshine. 

 In this world there is nothing more perfectly 

 entrancing and delicious than to be out in 

 flowering meadows between three and seven 

 on a sunny May morning, and nothing more 

 inspiring and wonderful than to be present at 

 the birth of a foal, and to watch its first actions 

 and impressions of the new Hfe. There is 

 much for reflection in the first actions of any 

 foal ; but if you have cared for and petted the 

 mother herself from a foal, and her mother 

 before her, you may receive the revelation of a 

 wonder vouchsafed but to few. 



But first of the mare — who is one of your 

 dear and cherished friends — who loves you to 

 handle her. Those with experience in such 

 matters can foretell with considerable accuracy 

 the near approach of the great event. The 

 expansion of the udder with milk gives the 

 first warning, further expansion and great 

 hardness the next. Tlie final indication is the 



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