OF THE FOAL. 205 



horses have borne their " paddock scars " 

 throughout their career. Horses, fortu- 

 nately, are pretty tough. I have seen a 

 thoroughbred foal kick his mother in play 

 till her ribs resounded like a big drum, but 

 she only w^hisked her tail round at him, as 

 at a fly, and continued grazing. There 

 is risk, hovi^ever, in letting a well-bred 

 foal be vpith heavy, older horses, though 

 sometimes these w^ill be very good, and play 

 vi^ith the youngster as gently as a strong 

 man will play with a child. A very 

 favourite old cob we have, a black gelding 

 of rare shape and character, is at present 

 performing the part of dry nurse to a 

 yearling thoroughbred filly. He keeps with 

 her wherever she goes, and runs open- 

 mouthed at any horse or other animal which 

 ventures to approach his precious charge. 



Last summer, by the way, an extraordi- 

 nary scene occurred, which might have been 

 amusing had it been Avitnessed under less 



