The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1877-03-09
Sagacity OF the Horse.

HHtfc MGnthtY on ANIMALS rom WnlCn we
take some anecdotes relating to the horse
1t is n very common observation of per-
sons who own intelligent dogs that if they
happen to describe to visitor some fault
for which the animal has been sco!ded or
punished, in the latter's presence, he will
exhibit an uneasy consciousness of what is
said. even sometimes quietly stink away
But the extent to which horse, ALSO may
he taught to understand speech, is not SO
generally known. The simple fact that he
likes to be talked to makes him attentive
to the sounds, and ! am convinced that in
great many cases he has an impression of
the meaning. l have at present horse
who served his country during the war, and
came to me only after its close. His expert
ence while on scouting service made him
very suspicious of any gray object, as !
soon discovered; he would shy at fallen
log in thicket, glimpse of messy rock,
or laborer's coat left IN fence corner.-
BY stopping him whenever this happened,
and telling him, in an assuring tone that
there was nothing to fear, he was very soon
completely cured of the habit. But he
still lifts up his head, and would, if he
could, cry Ha, ha ha ~ when he hears
the sound of the trumpet.
] have horse who is now not less than
Al years old, and it is possible that he is II
year or two older, for SO years ago he was
broken to use. He is at present on the re-
tired list, only occasionally being called
upon to lend 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 sup
ply the phosphates, the necessity Of which
to him he knew as we'll any scientist. ~
| have seen him through crack in board
shanty used while the stable was building
lift and lay aside with his teeth six boxes
which were piled atop Of one another, UNI
til he found the oats at the bottom. Then,
when my head appeared at the window,
he instantly gave up his leisurely, luxurious
munching of the grain, opened his jaws to
their fullest extent, thrust his muzzle deep
into the box, and gravely walked back to
his stall with at least quart Of oats in bis
mouth.
This horse had a playful habit Of snap
ping at my arm when he was harnessed for
a drive. q always talk to horse before
:,
Of course never ilinched, and his teeth
often grazed my sleeve as lie struck them
together. One day, more than II dozen
years ago, he was in rather reckless spirits
and snapped II little too vigorously, catch
ing my arm actually in his jaws. | scarce
ly felt the bite, but was very much sur
prised. The horse, however, showed such
unmistakable signs Of regret and distress,
that simply said Never do that again -
And he never did From that moment he
gave up the habit OF years; he laid back
his cars. or teigncd anger in other ways,
but he never again made believe to bite
This certainly, goes far beyond the tenn
porary sorrow for an unattended injury
which may be referred 10 m animals atlec-
ton What else is conscience than know
ledge of wrong made permanent by Il
memory which iurhids the repetition of the
wrong
In the company Of friend, was driv-
ing the same horse along n country road
in light, open buggy. paid no atten-
ton to the horse, for he could turn, back,
or execute any other maEuuvre in harness
as well without us with driver. Hating
ut a house where my friend wished to call,
| waited for him outside. Presently the
horse looked back at me, twisting his body
between the thi!ls in a singular fashion,
| perceived that he had some communica-
ton to make, and said, "What is the mat
ter now, Benz" Thcreupon, by twisting a
little more, he managed to hold up his
right hind foot, and | saw that the shoe
had been lost. That's right" said
you shall have IL new shoe us soon as we
get to the village" He set down his foot,
and for moment seemed satisfied Then
the same turning of the head and twisting
OF the body were repeated. What Ben
is anything else the matter2" | asked. He
now lifted up the lett hind foot, which was
still shod. | was quite at loss to under
stand him, and remained silent. He look
ed back at me out Of the corner of his eve,
and evidently saw that | was puzzled,
whereupOn lie set down his foot and seem
ed to think. Almost Immediately he lifted
it up again, and shook it vigorously The
loose shoe ratified There was Il positive
process Of reasoning in this act. and it is
too simple and clear to be interpreted in
any other way.
Q -