The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1906-06-30
THE 1NrELIreEHcE OF HORSES.


We find in the Mew England
Homestead very interesting article
on the above subject by the late Ben
jamin P. Ware, President of the
Essex County, Massachusetts,, Agri-
cultural Society:
Between myself and my horses ]
have raised, mutual understanding
and affection exists. I talk to them
as do to folks. IT is surprising how
much All intelligent horse under
stands, and how affectionate he be-
comes by kind treatment. I believe
most runaways are caused by the
horse having no confidence in his
driver. He quickly discovers whetb-
er the driver is capable of taking
care of him or not. And if not, the
responsibility of caring for himself
frightens him and he runs from possl-s
BILE danger or harm.
To illustrate: L once had two colts
pasturing where I passed by frequent
ly, and when doing so I called them
by name, Charley, Nelly, come"
and if within hearing they would
come running to me, reach their
heads over the wall for a caress and
then quickly return to their feeding.
My beautiful pair of black Morgan
mares were once turned into the
field for one days outing. Towards
night I sent the man who had care
of them with measure of oats to get
them in. He returned saying they
would not come to the oats nor would
they be driven in. I went myself
and when within hearing I called
them by name. dolly, Berry, come,
it is time to go in." They both came
trotting to me-. I had neither oats
nor halter, only myself to entice them.
They trotted around me on the way
to the stable. I drive four miles to
church. leaving my horse little past
the church door. On coming out af-
ter service, although in the crowd,
the horse usually looks around and
calls me with whinny. While mar
keting apples I frequently give one
to the horse, and on other occasions
l take some in my pocket. They
love apples. I once had very styl-
ish and high spirited horse that I
could drive on moderately tight
rein as is my usual custom. If
walking and I said "Dick, trot," he
would trot; or if trotting, and 1 said
"Now Dick, walk" he would walk.
However, if driving with compan-
ion and I should pass the reins over
to him, Dick would know at once,
and would soon be going at runa-
way pace. On my taking the reins
and speaking to him he would i'm
mediately calm down. once had
occasion to drive beautiful Morgan
mare in the country where I did not
know the right road. While 1 was
in doubt the mare knew my situation,
slackened her pace, travelled ia ahes-
itating manner. By some subtle
means of communication, perhaps
through the reins, she was in SYM
pathy with me III my uncertainty.
stopped at a house and enquired the
way, and found I was on the right
road. My changed condition was in
some way unconsciously to me trans
mitted to her and she started off in
good spirits at full speed. None OF
nv horses are afraid of the bicycle,
electric car, steam roller or automo-
bile, nor were they on their first in
PRODUCTION with me as driver. ha6
occasion to send man who had the
care of my horses to reighborlng
town when the electric cars were first
introduced here. He met an electric
car where the road was narrow, leav-
ing but little room besides the track.
The horse was very much frightened
he could only control her by turning
into a dooryard and heading her
against fence. He told me on his
return, with much emphasis, as
valued my life to never drive that
horse by an electric car.
Within two days had occasion to
drive the same horse on the same
road and very near the same place.
1 saw car coming. I stopped and
talked to her continually, holding her
attention, telling her I would take
care of her. She had confidence that
l would aud could. The car passed
within four feet of her. Although
she trembled some, she did not move
out of her track. She had faith in
me but did not in my man.
/ relate these incidents chosen from
many of similar character in order to
show the intelligence and love of
horses for their owners aDd confidence
in their drivers. Be kind to your
horses and make friends with them,