THE ETHICS OF HORSE MANAGEMENT. 357 
be removed. To inflict punishment is only to make the im¬ 
pression ineffaceable, and to attempt to conquer by brute 
force and brutal means what should be achieved by observa¬ 
tion, reason, and humanity. High-couraged, sensitive, and 
intelligent horses, of all others, will bear least maltreatment, 
and will soonest offer a stubborn resistance; just as they are 
most docile and affectionate with gentleness. Examples of 
this are frequent, though, I believe, less so than formerly; 
and not unfrequently race-horses of courage, and steady, 
have to be ridden without whip or spur. “ Mameluke,” a 
well-known racer some years ago, and as docile a horse as 
was ever saddled, received a severe castigation when running 
for the St. Leger, and ever after proved uncertain, and even 
vicious. Many a race has been lost by the infliction of 
wanton cruelty. 
A horseman should have tact, patience, the faculty of ob¬ 
servation, a knowledge of the different dispositions of horses, 
but, above all, a kindly feeling for them. In taming by fear, 
it must be remembered that all the interest which the animal 
has is the avoiding of an evil; but in taming by gentleness, 
and caresses, and food, it is the attainment of enjoyment. 
The most extraordinary results have been obtained by gentle¬ 
ness and patience with almost every species of animal on 
wdiich they have been persistently tried. Some years ago a 
young friend of mine, a good and humane horseman, when 
stationed at Malta, bought, for a very small sum, a barb 
that nobody on the island could manage, in consequence of 
its habit of stopping suddenly and refusing to go on, not¬ 
withstanding the most severe spurring and beating, which 
apparently made it only more determined to have its own 
way. He was much laughed at for his foolish purchase, and 
on the following day, being resolved to discover what could 
be done with it, he had it saddled and led round to his 
quarters. Some of his brother officers got their horses ready 
and accompanied him, anticipating, I have no doubt, some 
amusement. They had not proceeded far until, in a narrow 
street, the animal came to a stand-still, and would not follow 
its fellows. Instead of beating it, my friend told his com¬ 
panions to leave him and he would follow in time; then, 
quietly composing himself in the saddle, he lit a cigar and 
began to smoke, as if he were in his room in an easy chair. 
This was about mid-day, and towards the afternoon, having 
started without luncheon, he obtained some refreshment 
from a neighbouring shop ; the horse, astonished, I dare say, 
at the absence of its usual dose of punishmant, soon be¬ 
came uneasy, and wished to go on; but it was immediately 
