214 THE INDOOR HORSE 



stock saddle, which cannot possibly be used 

 for flat racing or jumping, is of value to a man 

 earning a living on horseback. 



II. THE INDOOR HORSE. 



His House. Because we love horses we 

 have been seeking guidance from nature as to 

 their management. " Nature " is only a sort 

 of nickname for God, who bids us love our 

 horse neighbours as all other neighbours. If 

 our religion is not a sham it consists of love, 

 and these our neighbours need a love which 

 must be filled with live intelligence. 



I doubt if God believes in the church I belong 

 to, but I am sure He approves of our poor 

 attempts to do our loving duty as horsemasters, 

 as soldiers, or in any trade to which we have 

 been called. This is the spirit in which I dare 

 to adventure upon criticism, approaching 

 civilized horsemastership from the singular 

 point of view of the range horseman. 



I do not presume to criticise the manage- 

 ment of thoroughbreds, but wish to speak 

 merely for common horses with whom I may 

 claim friendship. 



In buying a range-bred horse one takes the 

 legs and feet almost for granted, but in 

 civilization one deals with doubt and misgiving 

 because the animal for sale is presumably a 



