90 WILD TRAITS IN TAME ANIMALS. 



work, prove just what is wanted in a hunter or 

 a race-horse. 



We owe the tractable and docile temper of the 

 horse to the fact that he is naturally gregarious 

 in his habits ; for when many animals are associ- 

 ated together for common protection an accom- 

 modating temper and a readiness to obey the 

 leaders are most necessary virtues. Selfishness 

 and cantankerousness would soon break up the 

 band, and then each member would have to 

 fight the wolves or watch for the prowling 

 Felidse single-handed. A two -year -old colt 

 readily yields his will to that of his trainer, 

 because the young wild horse always had to 

 " knock under " to the wild veteran which was 

 the acknowledged leader of the mob. 



Further proofs of the social habits of the 

 horse are found in his readiness to respond 

 when spoken to, and in his numerous methods 

 of communicating with his fellows. Not only 

 does he neigh, but he makes use of various less 

 pronounced sounds, such as subdued whinnies 

 and snorts, bv means of which he makes known 

 his wants or sentiments. A horse can readily 

 tell from the sound made by a fellow whether 

 he is alarmed or angry. Not long ago I was 



