58 THE MIND OP THE HORSE 



The reasons of this are to be found in the proge- 

 nitors, climate and pasture. The offspring have 

 usually in some degree the character of their sire 

 and dam. Climate and pasture influence the body 

 and the body influences the mental nature of the 

 horse. The grass of moist plains makes the horse 

 fat and this qualitj' makes him slow to move. 

 A dry climate gives lean grass and makes the 

 horse light and ready in motion. 



Attaclis of the horse against the man 



who grooms Mm. 

 Causes — how they may he overcome. 



The horse may injure the man who grooms him 

 by kicking, pawing and by biting. Pawing indi- 

 cates a more vicious nature than kicking and bi- 

 ting is still worse. He may attack in self defence 

 if he is driven to bay by repeated and continual 

 punishments a,nd prevented from fleeing. 



Attacks on the man who grooms him indicate 

 a still more angry and vicious nature than attempts 

 against his rider. Tlie timid horse flees if he can 



