THE MIND OP THE HORSE 35 



the attention of and to call any other horse whose 

 footsteps he may hear; he neighs on seeing the stable 

 representing his home, food and drink, or because 

 he is hungry or thirsty whilst he is in the stall; he 

 neighs from impatience if he is tethered and would 

 like to be free, to join other horses. Sometimes he 

 snorts from fear or from anger on being punished 

 with the spurs or on smelling decaying substances. 



Swishing the 'tail from one side to the other is 

 in some horses and mares caused by the action of 

 the riders' legs and spurs and is an u.gly thing to 

 see; in other horses it indicates an excited condition 

 of the bladder, or hysterical excitement and may 

 be a sign of a desire to kick: in some few horses 

 it also signifies self-will and a desire to jib or refuse. 



The tail when depressed is an index of fear of 

 punishment, dread of objects touching him, bad 

 breed, or a sensation of cold. A drooping tail is a 

 sign of fatigue. Good carriage of the tail whilst in 

 motion is a sign of good breed. It may also be the 

 result of excitement or fear. 



When the hair of the coat rises it is a sign of 

 cold or illness. Trembling is indicative of great 



