Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-05-18
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THE HORSE AND HIS RIDER.

t16 f1OhS6 ANIL has nAOGns
MANY who keep horses are not aware that
they are thinking animals, and have feelings,
passions and affections very much like hui
man beings, although they cannot talk
People who do not appreciate the character
of the horse, are apt to treat him without
love or mercy, aud without any appeal to
his natural intelligence. The Bible sayeth,
"The horse knoweih his oWner," and he
knows more, for be knows when be is used
as horse should be used and in respect
to treatment, the Turk and Arab have much
the advantage of many Christians | could
name-the Pagans make friends of their
horses, they love each other, and on the san-
dy desert or the wild plain, they lie down
side by side, and each is equally ready to
resist the approach of au enemy.
A horse may be taught like child, by
those who have won his affections; but the
method of teaching is by showing distinct
ly what you wish him TO do, not by beating
him because he does not understand and
perform at the outset all you desire of him
Horses, like men, have very different intel
lectual capacities and tempers; but all may
be mastered by kindness, while the best, the
most high spirited and the most generous,
will be ruined by harsh treatment.
At the circuS, you have ocular demonstra-
ton that the horse understands the language
of man: and man may learn more virtues
than one, if he will observe the habits OF
his horse. "Ask the beast, he will teach
thee % says the wise man.
A neighbor of mine on Long Island, n.
Y, had a favorite horse which always
accompanied him in his iourneyings to and
from the city, who by stopping at a noted
tavern on the road, generally got top-beavy
by the time Of starting for home. The horse
knew when his master was drunk, by his
vascillatng motion, and on these occasions
would regulate his movements so as to pre-
vent his master from falling, if possible
One night he staggered out of the tavern
and was helped on the saddle; before he
had gone a mile he fell, aud his foot hung
in the stirrup; the horse stopped, and with
the big tear rolling in his eye, the compass
sionate animal looked on his drunken mas.
ter, and revolving in his mind how best he
could help him, he gripped the rim of his
hat with his teeth, but this gave way, and
again the drunkard's head smote the ground
he then seized hold by the collar ofhis coat
the mans head lay near the fore-foot of the
horse and thus held him till he was able to
extricate his foot from the stirrup. The
master having lost some blood from a cu
on his head, and got terrible fright besides
was now comparatively sober; he was able
to mount, and arrived safe home, where hi
related the above particulars, and thanking
God for his narrow escape, he next day Join
ed the temperance society. 1t is ten years
ago. The man and horse live like broth
ers, and will, till death parts them.
| A friend of mine had valuable horst
stolen from his stable he had changed mas
tiers several times. After some years he wa
through the town from whence the hors
was stolen. As soon as the horse came OPP
posite, Z" he marched up to his old masters,
put his head in at the open door, and begal
neighing most loudly; his rider kicked
spurred, coaxed and whipped, but all to n
purpose; the master came out, they recog
nized each other-the man by naming hi
horse, and the horse by laying his head o
his masters shoulder. The gentleman re
linquished the horse, and the thief was ira
ced and transported.
A favorite old hunter in Somersetshirt
England, being locked in the stable, an
hearing the cry ofhounds, became very re!
tive. The groom seeing he wanted som
sport, saddled him, and placing large MOI
key on the saddle, turned him loose Th
horse followed the sound of the pack, an
was first in at the death of the fox but tn
amazement of the hunters was extreme, o
observing the monkey holding the reins wit
all the dexterity of a true sportsman.
saw man hold his watch before I'll
eye of his horse, and ask, What is I'll
clock 1t was four, and the horse struc
the floor as many times with his foot b
ing told, make ready, present, fire, he sci
ed hold with his teeth, on cord hangir
on his shoulder, thus drawing the trigger
pistol which was fastened to the saddle {
his back, and so the pistol exploded.
Four years ago, gentleman in Brookly
owned horse when told to salute Il
company he stood on his hind legs like
dog, and looking round, gave nod with b
head.
Sir Walter Raleigh makes mention of
/, horse which lived in his time, of whom
is related, he would restore a glove to
owner, after his owner had whispered Il
mans name in the horses ear. When SHOW
piece OF money and asked how MAJ
pence 1t contalned-suppose il to be a sh
llng-he would strike the ground twel
times with his foot. This renowned hor
is alluded to by Shakespeare, in Loves L
Dor Lost" Act LIST, Scene I'd.
A gentleman commanded a troop of ca
airy in an English regiment, for many yea
on the continent, and at the battle of W
terloo, when the army was being put on t
peace establishment, the horses in his troc