Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-26
4 Spoiled Horse.

the autumn, the following advertisement
led me TO it. For sale. u valuable horse,
To one Vho kn0WS h0U to handle him"
Prompted partly by curiosity, and partly
because my stable had become vacated, |
carefully examined the horse offered for
sale. He had not been harnessed for over
fige weeks, and, what was worse, they
dill not dare to harness him. If bought
must take my chances; it was a run
for luck" Notwithstanding all his faults
| somehow liked him from the first; yet
no one of many who had called to see him
seemed disposed to buy. Although the
stabler warned me not TO touch him, my
check for one hundred and siYty-twO dol
lars and half settled the matter, and |
led my purchase home. led him, for |
! did not care TO back him until had first
! made his acquaintance. My walk home
| gave me time for reflection, for though
my eyes and hands were kept busy in
looking out for my horse, my thoughts
were buster than either. 4 jump and =
snort from my prancing steed would re-
call my wandering thoughts, and, cause
me to be moro on my guard lest the
stable-keeper's warning should prove true
before reached home.
Bu, at last myi purchase was safely in
my stable. a higher melted or more
! thoroughly nervous horse | never had
there before However. with all his faults
he ha d one redccming trait he did
not kick, But with every other vice ha
seemed to be familiar. If attempted to
put my hand on hi, head, be would pull
away and snort. could hardly enter
the stable without his thrashing out yio-
lcntly. The grain man came, but he got
so thoroughly frightened, that 1t was
weeks before could induce him to come
again.
From the lay he entered my stable un-
Ill the present, have never struck him
! blow. Herer uHdcr any circumstances,
strike horse a. he stabie. Kindness will
accomplish what whipping has failed to
do. though had winters job before
me but the first thing wished to do was
to win his confidence to teach him 10
love me, which feel have elcctualIy
done. began to give him apples and
potatoes, which I always taught him to
eat from my hand, and ut the same time
patted his neck and head. In this way,
| made rapid strides in gaining his con-
/ fidence. What | dreaded most was TO
harness him. Those ominous words, "A
valuable horse To one who knows how 10
handle him, were continually running in
my mind. Was | the man. Harnessed
he must be, for every days delay was
making the matter more difficult and
dangerous. procured the help of two
good men, and began. admit that my
nerves were little shaky, yet my conti-
dcnce in managing horse had not died
/ ont.
After some trouble, We got him fairly
in the shafts and found myself seated
behind him, ready for a start. BUTT was
no go. | soon learned That there was no
danger of his runuing-not u bit Of it!
He threw himself back in the harness,
and evidently expected "scrape." But
in this he was disappointed. | could sit
As long rs he could stand; and | waited,
said nothing, but waited until he got tired
OF waiting, and started of his own accord,
when | drove him, and could handle him
with perfect ease.
The next day, tried him again, with
the same performance, followed by the
same result, and that day to the present,
he has never refused 10 start when | ask
him or in any way behave improperly. 1t
is the fire and the spirit that add yalne 10
the steed, when brought under proper
subsection TO the master. Dan and my
self have become the best of friends. He
is disposed to do anything ask him, and
| never strike him a blow. Italk 10 him
If he is frightened. A kind word from
me assures him, and he takes courage.
He can make his mile" in three minutes,
or twelve miles an hour, has fine style
and action, and is as good and clever an
animal in the stable or harness rs could
wish. Ny boy OF twelve can handle him
and take care Of him with perfect safety.
1t was not the rhip that made him what
he is. but the law of kindness, which al
WAYS works best, on man or beast. BY
it have u good and valuable horse, and
think he has master who "kn0WS h0iO
10 handle him."-[O. W. f., IN our Dumb
Animais.