DOCILITY OF THE HOUSE. 297 



dents and accidents with horses which would prove 

 mcontestably that the horse is by nature a timid 

 animal. I„ his wild state also he trusts to his 

 speed, rather than to his hoofs or teeth, to defend 

 himself from his enemies. 



Now, as to tractability and docility, the horse is 

 formed to be the slave, as tlie dog is to be the 

 companion, of man ; in short, no animal in the 

 creation, except the dog, is more docile or more 

 easily instructed. Look at the Arab horses ; see 

 the dams with their foals lying down at the' tent 

 entrance, with the children of the desert rolling 

 and scrambling over any part of their bodies. 

 Would these animals harm by tooth or hoof one 

 of their little playmates ? No. TVhy, then, are not 

 the English horses as quiet and tractable as these ? 

 Simply, because they do not experience the same' 

 kind treatment and early education of the Arabs. 



See also the difference between the trained 

 hunters of the last century and those of the 

 present time. Formerly great pains were taken 

 with young horses to fit them for the hunting 

 field. At the leaping-bar they were taught to 

 jump either standing or running, and at the word 

 of command to go fast and slow. They were 

 practised over hurdles and otlier fences, and their 

 education was not hurried over with a few brief 



