CHAPTER XXXIX. 



THE LANGUAGE OP THE HORSE — AUTHOR'S EXPERIENCE. 



Sagacity of Horses — Author's experience — Old Dobbin — Nellie Bly— Lady 

 Barebones — Panny Pern — Cora Linn — Fanny Keny on— Maggie 

 Dimon — Belmont Maid — Golden Rule — Ruf us Molburn's mare. 



ALTHOUGH horses classed as "dumb brutes" have a 

 language of their own, none will, perhaps deny ; but 

 that they have a language whereby they may talk to man 

 may appear strange to the uninitiated ; yet I know that I can 

 and do talk to my horses. My horses have a low whinny 

 which means water; a higher-keyed, more emphatic neigh 

 which means food ; and whenever I hear these sounds I 

 know as well what they need as if they had spoken in 

 English. 



My driving mare has also a neigh of welcome Xor me when- 

 ever I approach her after having left her on the street for 

 some time, attending to my business in town. 



"When a horse sees or apprehends danger he will tell you so 

 by a snort, low or loud, according to the, to them, seeming ex- 

 tent of danger. 



I now have a mare doing business in the city that was 

 formerly my driving mare, and every time I meet or see her in 

 town she recognizes me by the same peculiar whinny of wel- 

 come with which she used to greet my approach when used as 

 my buggy-horse, and it is the same as is used by my present 

 driving horse. Still, I will admit that the language of the 

 lower animals is not altogether articulate ; it is more of the 

 nature of the sign language. The horse does much talking by 

 signs and motions, and especially motions of the ears and head, 

 and by his wonderfully expressive looks. He also, upon occa- 

 sions, talks with his other extremity. A peculiar switch of the 



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