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THE WORLD OF ANIMAL LIFE 



Skull of Horse 

 , Cutting teeth; 2, Grinding teeth 



surface. If we wish to ride, they will carry us on their backs, and 

 take us wherever we want to go. 



In looking at a horse, we can hardly help feeling that it was 

 made to be the servant of man. Look at its back; does it not 

 really seem as if it were meant to carry a saddle? Look at its 

 mouth; does it not seem as if it were intended to hold a bit.? 



For you will see that there is a 

 gap between its front, or aitiing 

 teeth, and its back, or grinding 

 teeth. It is in this gap that the 

 bit is placed. 



Look at its limbs; do they not 

 seem to be made for strength, as 

 well as for speed of foot.'' And 

 look at its hoofs; do they not seem 

 to be meant for all kinds of hard 

 work.' Certainly Nature seems to have done her best to make 

 the horse as useful to us as possible. 



Its docility, too, is a most valuable characteristic. If the horse 

 were a stubborn and obstinate animal like the zebra, which has 

 hardly ever been tamed, it would be of very little use to us, not- 

 withstanding its great strength. But, with very rare exceptions, 

 horses are as gentle and tractable as could be wished. 



And further, does not the very size of a horse suggest that 

 it was intended for the service of man as a rider. Horses were 

 probably first used for carrying their owners from place to place. 

 Only treat them well, they willingly work for us. All that they 

 ask in return is a dry stable, and plenty of good oats, hay, and 

 clean water. 



The Arabs are so fond of their horses that they do not put 

 them in stables at all, but allow them to live in their own tents, 

 just as though they were members of the family. 



If j^ou could look into an Arab's tent, you might even see the 

 little children playing between the legs of the horse. It is very 

 careful not to hurt them, and sometimes even joins in their fun. 

 If its master enters, the horse goes to him, rubs its nose against 

 him, and follows him about like a pet dog. 



