113 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
[Aran, 
No animal awakens stronger affections in man 
than a good horse: when well treated, a faith¬ 
ful friend, a willing servant, a patient drudge— 
discriminating, forgiving, self-sacrificing, cour¬ 
ageous, ambitious and proud: when abused, 
obstinate, willful, and treacherous, to the last 
degree. He shows his character in his eye, and 
while a child will shrink from one with fear, it 
will approach another with confidence. Even 
the great rough head in such close proximity 
to the tender child, (as seen in the picture above), 
causes no fear, and we can see the growing con¬ 
fidence which will soon proffer the fragrant 
clover heads. Tim Bunker gives an affecting his¬ 
tory of his family mare, on another page ; and 
this beautiful picture will pass well for a por¬ 
trait of “Old Rose” and ’Squire Bunkers’ 
grand children. A horse trained by kindness to 
find liis highest pleasure in the society and 
doing the will of man is not “broken” at all, 
but made a firm friend. To “ break ” a colt indi¬ 
cates to most minds a beating, bruising, pound¬ 
ing, whipping operation, out of which the colt 
comes, saddled, bridled, and broken to halter, 
bridle, saddle and harness; and doubtless many 
a colt is thus treated, and broken in spirit and 
spoiled in temper. May we not lay this abuse to 
this use of the word break. The onl3 T idea that 
should be conveyed and the only practice suffer¬ 
ed, should be that of a firm, gentle control, win¬ 
ning the confidence and inspiring willing, affec¬ 
tionate obedience, on the part of the horse. 
Thus may be developed all those desirable quali¬ 
ties which his fine nature possesses, and we be 
put in possession of an honest, faithful compan¬ 
ion, and helper for the term of his natural life. 
