Three months afterward, however, the horse was once more brought with "watery eye," and again operation was successful. The proprietor then received back and soon sold the creature, which being past the age when horses are most valuable, seemed likely to become an expensive retainer.
CHAPTER III.
THE MOUTH—ITS ACCIDENTS AND ITS DISEASES.
EXCORIATED ANGLES OF THE MOUTH.
Let no man punish a horse for want of obedience; the sole use of the creature and its only delight is to obey. Let no person abuse it for having a hard mouth, or for not answering to the rein. Man had the formation of the mouth, and its condition can be no fault in the possessor; the horse's pleasure is the gratification of its master. Observe the antics of the nag thoroughly trained and perfectly up to the rider's point of jockeyship. Does not every fiber seem to quiver with excess of happiness? There is a tacit understanding between man and horse; the pretty arts and graceful prancings of the animal tell how joyful it is made by the conviction that it is sharing man's amusement. But let the equestrian dismount, and another, above or below the horse's educational point, assume the saddle, that understanding no longer exists. The harmony is destroyed; there is no intelligence between horse and man. All the playfulness disappears; the entire aspect of the animal is changed, and it sinks to a commonplace "ugly brute."
The majority of drivers are very particular about the horse's mouth; yet they all abuse the animal as though it was their desire to destroy that which each professes to admire. Every supposed error is punished with the lash, but the whip can convey no idea; the lash does not instruct the animal; beat a horse all day, and it will only be stupid at sunset. All the horse can comprehend from the smart is a desire that the pace should be quickened; that wish it endeavors to comply with. The person who guides the vehicle generally becomes fanatic at such perversity; he begins "jagging" and "sawing" the reins. The iron is violently pulled against the angles of the mouth, or rapidly passes from one side to the other. Would the owner or driver take the trouble to instruct his dumb servant in his wishes, the poor drudge would rejoice to exhibit its accomplishments. But no information is communicated by first urging and then checking; the timidity is increased by the one, the angles of the mouth are excoriated by the other.
Ladies' horses invariably have admirable mouths; ladies generally are very poor equestrians, yet they encounter few accidents. Men, who ride better, are oftener thrown and hurt. The gentleness of the woman, or the sympathy existing between two gentle beings, produces this effect The horse is never dangerous when not alarmed; the feminine hand pats the neck of the steed; the feminine voice assures the timidity; the whip never slashes; the reins are never converted into instruments of torture; the weight is light and the pace is easy. A perfect understanding is soon established between the two, and the rider, notwithstanding her weakness, her indifferent jockeyship, and her flapping dress, sits the saddle in safety, while the animal increases in value under her care.