The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-12-30

for my life. He would run after me
and rearing put his boofs upon me
in genuine doggiSh fashion, a trick which
his great size rendered dangerous in the
extreme, and of which he had to De
broken by severe punishment. The
horse, as he grows older. becomes less
PLAYFUL and demonstrative than the cat or
the dog, not because he is so by nature, but
because he is put 10 work-a circumstance
which tends largely to subdue auy unto
ward eXuberance of spirits. Not having
tail to wag, too large to be rolled over
and played with cat fashion or to curl up
In YOUR lap, the horses range of emotional
expression is, naturally, somewhat lin
lied. He has learned tn nicker and wbiu-
ner, and no one who has ever had the
handling of the animal in his stall can
have failed to note how keenly responsive
he is to kindly treatment. 1t is an easy
matter Tor an obSeryant owner 10 learn
whether his hired attendant treats his
horse rightly; he has only to watch the
Creatures demeanor toward the groom.
That conduct will not always be the
same. 1t will vary according to the dispo-
siton of the horse. Some horses will
evince decided pleasure when the attend
ant comes about them. Others will only
tell their story by being quiet and docile
in the hands of a gentle groom. Ono ami
NAL | have owned, while a model of gen.
tleness and kindness when well treated.
would always bite or kick at the man who
used her roughly. Another would simply
cover and tremble whenever the rough
keeper came near her. The writer in
question declares in all seriousness that
the horse does not become attached to in
dividuals.
Some time ago l was called from home
for several months. / left Madame, my
favorite pony, under the same care she
had had for year or more. The same
person fed her, just as before; with the
exception of myself the same persons
used her. She had in all respects the same
care. but during my absence she grew thin
and dispirited. She would not eat, and
she looked gaunt and sorry enough on my
return. She was Enthusiastically glad to see
me when l again made my appearance.
and proceeded at once to fatten up.
The same authority referred to declares
horses are not appreclative of kindness,
do not recognize, in fact. when such are
performed for them. Along this line an
acquaintance OF mine tells the following
story: A friend of his had occasion to
cross the Niagara River, one win;er night.
on the ice. He was driving very fine
mare. and had all but made the distance in
safety when, near the shore, the ice broke
and the mare won't through into the
water. She was nearly submerged, and
was in the icy-cold water for over
two hours before she could be re-
leased from her perilous position. OF
course she was chilled through, but
she was taken to a farmhouse, on
the river bank. led into a large basement
kitchen. where a roaring fire of logs was
made in the open fireplace. Here she was
thoroughly rubbed down, dosed with
brandy and given plentiful hot mash.
Then bed was made for her on the floor,
and warmly covered she went to sleep.
Her owner, much concerned for the safety
of his valuable mare, went to rest in an
adjoining room. In the night he was
awakened by something touching his face
Starting up he discovered the mare stand
ing by his couch licking his face. She laid
| her head against him and seemed to en-
deayor by every means in her power to ex-
press her gratitude for her rescue and the
| treatment she had received. She had
| never before shown anything like affection
| for MIN, but it was quite evident that she
appreciated her peril and what had been
| done for her.
| That the horse does remember kindness
| and cherish the memory of old affections
is we'll instanced in many authentic cases.
| There are few horsemen but will remem-
| Der the name of "Bush Messenger"-the
original Bush Messenger an old-time
famous sire Of line of speedy descend
ants. After he went from the ownership
of Mr.. Bush he fell into harsh hands, and,
never very tractab bic, became so savage as
| to be wholly unmanageable. He had
grown TO be an old horse, when. years
| after, his former owner paid him visit.
| While Messenger was not gentle horse,
| Mr.. Bush had always been able to handle
him and do with him as he would.
| Imagine his surprise. therefore. to find
his old 1avorite ungroomed and unkempt,
! In an Enclosure surrounded by a 10-fooi