On the large plains of South America, horses run wild in great numbers.
They are caught by means of a lasso, which is a rope with a noose at one
end. This is thrown with great dexterity over the neck of the wild
horse.
The artist has called the picture which we here present "A Council of
Horses." Do they not look as if they were taking advice of one another?
The white horse, with his erect neck and head, seems to be the leader,
or chief. He is willing to hear what the others may have to say; but he
means that they shall follow him, after all.
And can horses really make known their wishes to one another? It would
almost seem so, though we cannot prove it. Wild horses choose their own
chiefs, and these give the signal of departure. If any extraordinary
object appears, the chief commands a halt. He goes to discover what it
is, and, after his return, gives, by neighing, the signal of confidence,
of flight, or of combat.
Five sorts of neighing may be noticed: that of joyfulness, of desire, of
anger, of fear, and of sorrow. A feeling peculiar to the horse is
emulation. Whoever has witnessed a horse-race can understand the ardor,
vehemence, and struggle for victory, which excite the energies of both
horses and men. The animals have often tried to hold their rivals back
by the teeth. This has been known to happen when the horses are left
entirely to themselves, as on some of the Italian race-courses, where
the horses run without riders.
The horse has a strong memory. Franklin relates, that he had a horse
that conducted him through a hilly country where it was difficult to
find the road. Every time Franklin himself was unable to tell which road
to take, he would leave the reins on the horse's neck, and the good
beast, left to itself, never failed to go right.
[Illustration]
The noblest conquest that man ever made over the animal creation is that
of the horse. Every thing in him breathes out vivacity and energy. That
need of continual movement, that impatience during repose, that nervous
motion of the lips, that stamping of the feet, all indicate a pressing
need of activity.