CHOICE OF A BREED 49 



that it was with great difficulty she could be fed 

 and cared for. A few days later the carpenter 

 asked me if I would take her and " get her to go- 

 ing gentle." My heart sank at the proposal, but 

 my reputation as a horseman was at stake, so I 

 named my price — a good stiff one — which was at 

 once agreed to. I had treated some colts that 

 were rather bad, but had not seen so extreme a 

 case as this, and she remains on record as the 

 worst horse I ever handled. 



She was brought to my barn by three men, one 

 on each side, with long ropes attached to her 

 bridle and one behind with a whip. Her owner 

 followed at a safe distance. His affection for his 

 erstwhile pet had waned and he spoke of his recent 

 back-somersault and of the filly herself in terms 

 unfit for publication. 



The methods by which this filly was broken and 

 rendered gentle in harness and stable would re- 

 quire too long a description for this chapter. 

 They will be discussed, in detail, in a chapter on 

 the cure of vices. It is sufficient to say here that 

 we did break her and sent her home, a safe animal 

 to use and care for. 



Now all this trouble came from a disposition 

 resulting from bad judgment in the selection of 

 parents. Even if such colts can be subdued and 

 made useful, is it worth while to raise them? I 

 think all will agree with me that it is not. 



