Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1877-02-22
HOUSE FARM & GARDEN.

HOUSE FARM & GARDEN.
Instances of Moral Sense In Horse.
I have horse who is now not less
than forty.one years old, and it is
possible that he is a year or two older;
for thirty.eight years he was broken
to use. He is at present on the retired
list, only occasionally being called up.
on to lend a helping shoulder to his
younger colleague but his intellect is
as fresh and as full of expedients as
ever. No horse ever knew better how
to save himself, to spare effort, and
prolong his powers; no one was ever
so cunning to slip his halter, open the
feed box, and supply the phosphates.
the necessity Of which to him he knew
as we'll as any 'scientist." l have
seen him, through a crack in a board
shanty. used while the stable was
building, lift and lay aside with his
teeth six boxes which were piled atop
one another, until he foand the oats
at the bottom. Then, when my head
appeard at the window, he instantly
gave up his leisurely, Luxurious MUNICH.
ing OF the grain, opened his jaws to
their fullest extent, thrust his muz.
zle deep into the box, and gravely
walked back to his stall with at least
a quart of oats in his mouth. This
horse had a playful habit of snap.
ping at my arm when he was har-
messed for a drive. I always talk to
a horse before starting, rs a matter of
common politeness.) OF course
never finished, and his teeth often
grazed my sleeve as lie struck them
together. One day, more than a dozen
years ago. he was in rather reckless
spirits and snapped a little too vigor.
ously, catching my arm actually in
his jaws. l scarcely felt the bite, but
I was very much surprised. The
horse, however, showed such unmis.
taxable signs of regret and distress
that I simply said.
''Never do that agaln!'' And he
never did! From that moment he
gave up the habit of years; he laid
back his ears or feigned anger in other
ways, but he never again made believe
to bite. This, certainly, goes far be.
yond the temporary sorrow for an un.
intentional injury which may be refer.
red to any animals affection. What
else is conscience than knowledge
of wrong made permanent by a mem.
DRY which forbids the repetition of the
wrong! The same horse once reveal.
ed the latter quality in a surprising
way. On telling the story privately
find that it is sometimes incredulously
received; yet am sure that no one
who cherishes the proper respect fol
animals will refuse its credence. In
the company of friend I was driving
along country road in a light, oper
buggy. paid no attention to the
horse, for he could turn, back, or exc
cute any other maneuvre in harness
as we'll without as with a driver. Halt
ing at house where my friend wished
to call, I waited for him outside
Presently the horse looked back at me
twisting his body between the thills ir
a singular fashion. I perceived that
he had some communication to make
and said, "What is the matter nov
Benz" Thereupon, by twisting lit
tie more, he managed to hold up his
right hind foot, and saw that the
shoe had been lost. THAT'S right
said I ; "you shall have a new shoe AZ
soon as we get to the village" He sci
down his foot, and for a moment seem
ed satisfied. Then the same turning
of the head and twisting of the body
were repeated. "What, Ben, is
anything else the matter e. I asked
He now lifted up his left hind foot
which was still shod. Twas quite at a
loss to understand him, and remained
silent. He looked back at me out of
the corner of his eye, and evidently
saw that I was puzzled, whereupon hi
sat down his foot and seemed to think,
Almost Immediately he lifted it up anG
shook it vigorously. The loose shoe
ratified. There was positive process
of reasoning in this act, and it is too
simple and clear to be interpreted in
any other way.